Fig. 380.—Dermatophilus penetrans: young female. Highly magnified. (After Moniez.)
Fig. 381.—Dermatophilus penetrans: older female. Enlarged. (After Moniez.)
The sand flea (nigua) particularly infests Central and South America, and, in 1873, was carried by ships from Brazil to the West Coast of Africa. In a comparatively short time it has become disseminated throughout Africa and has also appeared in Madagascar; recently also it has been reported from China.
Besides attacking man, it also settles on mammals, for instance, on dogs, pigs, etc. According to Jullien the wound or little swelling caused by the female has no particular significance, as children infested with ten or eleven sand fleas quietly proceeded with their games. It will be understood, however, that the wound easily affords the opportunity for the setting up of inflammation or even septic processes, as is the case in any kind of wound.
[The jigger is also well known in the West Indies.—F. V. T.]
Genus. Echidnophaga, Olliff.