e body has
been pointed to as evidence that inoculation is due to such insects as
flies and mosquitoes. It has been noted that leprosy is frequently very
common in regions where elephantiasis occurs, suggesting the possibility
of the same carrier, the mosquito, for both diseases. So while there is
as yet very little evidence one way or the other, insects that are found
around leprous patients are to be regarded with suspicion, for until we
know more definitely just how the disease is communicated the insects
must be looked on as possible sources of contamination.

KALA-AZAR OR DUM-DUM FEVER

This is a very fatal infectious disease of many tropical and subtropical
regions, spreading terror among the natives wherever it occurs. It is
caused by the presence in the system of Protozoan parasites, the
so-called Leishman-Donovan bodies, that have recently been studied by
several observers.

Dr. W.S. Patton of the Indian Medical Service has been making some
extensive experiments with the common bedbug of India (_Cimex
rotundatus_) which seem to demonstrate fully that this insect is
responsible for the transmission of the parasite that causes the
disease. He has found the parasite in all stages of development in the
bedbug. This, taken with a number of other observations in regard to the
tendency of the disease to cling to particular houses, makes a strong
case against the bedbug. Manson, however, believes that the parasite may
be transmitted by other agents also, possibly by means of flies that
visit the sores or in other ways.

ORIENTAL SORE

This disease, once supposed to be confined to the Orient, is now found
to be rather widely distributed throughout the tropics, where it is
sometimes very prevalent. It is caused by the presence in the system of
a parasite very similar to or identical with the one causing _kala-azar_
and is regarded by some as a modified form of that disease. The patient
is affected with one or more serious sores or ulcers which usually occur
on exposed parts of the body.

The parasite that causes the disease is supposed to be carried by
insects either directly or indirectly.

In the latter case the insect may act as an intermediate host.

Dogs and camels are also attacked by this disease and may be sources of
infection.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete list of books and articles dealing more or less directly with
the subjects discussed in this book would be too extended for use here.
Fo