Myiasis.—Coates, G. M., “A Case of Myiasis Aurium accompanying the Radical Mastoid Operation,” Journ. Amer. Med. Assoc., Chicago, Ill., 1914, lxiii, pp. 479–480: Apparently C. macellaria, forty to fifty coming away with the gauze after the operation.
Huber, G. U., and Flack, F. L., “An Unusual Case of Screw-worms in the Nose and Nasal Accessory Sinuses,” Journ. Amer. Med. Assoc., Chicago, 1914, lxiii, pp. 2288–2289.
Auricular Myiasis.—Francaviglia, M. C., “An cora sulla myiasi auricolare,” Boll. Sedute Accad. Gioenia, Catania, 1914, No. 31, pp. 15–23. This writer mentions the following parasites in the human ear: Sarcophaga carnaría, L.; Wohlfartia magnifica, Schiner; Chrysomyia macellaria, F.; Calliphora vomitoria, L.; and Anthomyia pluvialis, L. He refers to a severe myiasis in Russia, due to a fly variously recorded as Sarcophaga wohlfarti, Rond.; S. ruralis, Meig.; or Sarcophila meigeni, Portsch. These are all probably synonyms of W. magnifica. Chrysomyia macellaria, in Central America and South America, is quite as harmful as S. carnaria, causing perforation of the tympanum and meningitis. Lucilia nobilis and L. cæsar have also been incriminated. Of the sub-family Anthomyinæ, the larvæ of Fannia scalaris, Meig., F. canicularis, Meig., F. incisurata, Zett, and Hydrotæa meteorica, L., are chiefly associated with myiasis. He recommends, if the larvæ are outside the tympanum, an injection of chloroform vapour by a few drops of water saturated with chloroform, by an emulsion of 5 per cent. carbon bisulphide or with benzine. When detached they may be removed with forceps or a solution of boric acid. If the tympanum has been perforated, the larvæ must be removed at once.
Francaviglia also records the larva of Oestrus ovis in the human ear (Boll. Sedute Accad. Gioenia, Catania, 1914, No. 31, pp. 23–27).
Body, Head, and Clothes Lice.—Lobaczewski (Wien. klin. Wochenschr., Vienna, 1915, xxviii, pp. 373–374) recommends the impregnation of body linen with a 30 per cent. solution of oleum betæ in 96 per cent. alcohol as an efficient method of keeping the body free of lice. But the process must be renewed each time the linen is washed and it takes fifteen minutes to carry out. On adding the oil to the alcohol, a portion of the former is precipitated, the supernatant fluid is decanted and poured over the linen, which is wrung out in it and dried. The garments retain their lice-proof properties until washed. Three days after wearing the clothes thus treated no lice remain on the body.
Portnikov, Proc. of Conference of Bacteriologists and Representatives of Medical Sanitary Authorities on the Campaign against Infectious Diseases in connection with the War, Soc. Russ. Physicians in mem. Pirosov, Moscow, 1915, p. 131.
Pediculus capitis and Phthirus pubis are shown to be successfully controlled by applying spirit extract of sabadilla and both white and grey mercury ointment, solution of corrosive sublimate of a strength of 1 in 250 to 1 in 100, amyl and ethyl alcohol, benzine, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methane, birch tar, liquid of malinin, etc. The control of Pediculus vestimenti by the mixture of tartaric acid and sodium sulphite slightly moistened with water is advised. It is placed in small linen bags underneath the shirt; the heat of the body produces a reaction which continues for two days, giving off a large amount of SO2, which spreads beneath the shirt and kills all the parasites but does not affect the skin. Marzinovsky, in the same Proceedings (pp. 56–68), gives a number of remedies for Pediculus vestimenti (called humanus), and mentions quinine or mercury, which latter the natives in Turkestan carry on their hands and legs in bracelets soaked in mercury compounds. He also mentions ethereal oils, the most effective being clove oil, eucalyptus, oil of anise and camphor. He recommends for disinfecting clothing for army purposes the chamber used by the Japanese on a large scale. Kummerfelds’ wash is advised, and is prepared as follows: 20 parts of precipitated sulphur are incorporated in a mortar with 50 parts of glycerine; 2 parts of camphor are separately ground with 50 of eau-de-Cologne and 20 of borax, and 870 parts of distilled water are added; the whole is mixed together and 3 drops of an extract of musk are added; shake in order to prevent the sulphur settling down; 50 parts of ether are added to the mixture. This sounds an expensive and troublesome preparation to make.
Shipley A. E., “Flowers of Sulphur and Lice,” Brit. Med. Journ., 1915, p. 295. It is here stated by Dr. Lounsbury that the South African troops were supplied by the Government with bags of flowers of sulphur sewn in small calico bags and secured to the underclothing next the skin as a preventive of lice. The bags were 2 in. square, one on the trunk and one against each leg. This is a generally accepted preventive, but is best mixed with equal parts of creosote and naphthalene.
Shipley, A. E., “Insects and War,” Brit. Med. Journ., September 19 to November 14, 1914. General advice given re lice.