Lusitanus[1009] relates the case of a man who suffered from severe headaches. A medical man ordered the application of a leech to the anterior portion of the nostril. Owing to the carelessness of the surgeon the leech crawled right into the nose; it was impossible to extract the leech or to kill it, and it produced a severe hæmorrhage which led to the death of the patient within two days. In a case recorded by Sinclair,[1010] a leech, Hæmopsis sanguisuga, gained access to the nose of a boy, aged 3; it remained there a fortnight; it caused frequent attacks of epistaxis and in the end it was removed by means of forceps. Condorelli-Francaviglia[1011] records a case in which severe epistaxis was caused by a leech which had probably entered the anterior portion of the left nostril by way of the pharynx and become tightly fixed there. It was seen by posterior rhinoscopy, and was removed from in front by means of slightly curved forceps. Sota y Lastra[1012] mentions the occurrence of leeches in the nose, and Keng[1013] reports the case of nasal obstruction from a leech. The removal of leeches is effected by means of injections or by the direct sprinkling of salt or acid solutions on their bodies, which brings about their detachment. When possible a previous attempt should be made to seize them with forceps so as to make their immediate extraction possible. The species of Hæmadipsa (Looss[1014]) live in tropical regions in moist places on the ground or in the jungle. They climb bushes and even trees with astonishing rapidity upon the approach of larger animals and also of man (whom they clearly recognize from the vibration of the ground caused by footsteps). From thence they let themselves fall on their victims to suck their blood. Their bites are generally painless, and of themselves not dangerous, but if they are unusually numerous they rapidly accumulate on the body in large numbers and give rise to marked debility and, if the wound become infected, to severe complications and even death. On the other hand, under careful treatment the wounds heal easily and fairly rapidly.
Firm leather and firmly adhering clothes afford no certain protection against the attacks of these leeches, as they know how to force themselves with extraordinary rapidity through the narrowest interstices between the clothes and thus gain access to the skin. When they have sucked their fill—and this may take several hours to accomplish—they fall off of themselves. To effect an earlier removal drops of irritative or corrosive fluids are employed (salt solutions, acids, etc.). Tearing away the leech by force should be avoided, as in this way portions of the leech’s body may be left behind in the wound and inflammation be set up.
ARTHROPODA.
Leptus autumnalis (Grass, Harvest, or Gooseberry Mite[1015]).
In the hot season of the year, that is, during the months of July and August, it is noticed that those people who stray amongst syringa bushes or who pick gooseberries or kidney beans are attacked by the Leptus autumnalis. On the uncovered parts of the body there appear numerous red spots and papules, which itch and burn smartly. The itching does not commence diffusely, as in the case of scabies (MacLennars[1016]), but is limited to the particular points where the parasite is situated. There are especial outbreaks of itching in the morning, arising perhaps from the hatching of ova in the host after lying in the warmth of the bed.[1017] Leptus frequently provokes general erythema, eczematization or severe feverish urticaria, which in France is known by the name of fièvre de grain (Mégnieu, Besnier[1018]). If the individual efflorescences be carefully examined, there will be noticed almost without exception a minute boss towards the centre, noticeable by its yellowish-red colour. If an attempt is made to remove it with the point of a needle or to scrape it off the surface, one can often perceive, even with the naked eye, a small reddish creature moving actively about. The treatment of these very troublesome symptoms consists in warm baths with soapy lavages, also lavages with alcohol, spirit salmiac (G. P.), 5 per cent. carbol or creolin solution, diluted vinegar, benzine, emulsions of balsam of Peru, rubbing in sulphur ointment (Sandwith[1019]); ointments of creosote or eucalyptus are recommended. Other grass and grain mites also occasionally penetrate the skin of man and produce transitory but sometimes very severe eruptions, urticaria and eczema papulosum, as Geber[1020] and subsequent to him Josai[1021] have reported of the barley mite. In sensitive individuals the skin becomes bright red, to a greater or less extent their temperature is raised and frequently slight febrile affections are present. If the inflammatory skin symptoms have reached their culminating point after three or four days and no fresh complications arise, they only remain for a short while, the effects of scratching and pigment spots being left.
Kedani, Akaneesch (The Japanese River or Inundation Disease).
This disease is only known in Japan, and is limited to the neighbourhood of some great rivers on the west coast. The people mostly attacked are those who cut the hemp harvest in the infected localities, occasionally those who transport it or come into contact with it (Looss[1022]). The disease is frequently manifested in the form of indefinite disturbances of the general condition; it commences generally on the sixth day after the presumed infection with rigors, headaches, feeling of weakness, swelling of the lymphatic glands in the loin or in the arm-pits; in the periphery a black dry scab is formed. In addition there is an intense conjunctivitis, and added to symptoms of fever an exanthema resembling measles that lasts from four to seven days. There is frequent delirium and difficulty of hearing which persist for a long while. Obstinate constipation is a striking symptom. At the end of a fortnight, earlier in slighter cases, the fever commences to abate and a rapid convalescence sets in. In pregnant women abortion with fatal issue is frequent. With regard to prophylaxis, Baelz[1023] recommends as rapid a cultivation of the soil as possible, which has led to a speedy disappearance of the disease in districts where it was once dreaded. Treatment is symptomatic. Japanese do not tolerate antipyretic drugs as well as Europeans.
Dermanyssus gallinæ (avium).