The Shasta courier., 1860-02-18
Insects Preying ON the Human Body.

There is gentleman in Schenectady, n re-
sident Of Cuba who was afflicted with a singu-
lar disease, which baffled the skill of several
medical men. He finally consulted physician
in New York, who, after much research, uu-
raveled the case. 1t is believed to be uniqne in
the annals of medicine. small red swelling
appeared on the lower part of the abdomen,
which was the seat of pain and uneasiness il
gradually shifted its position and reached the
chest. The New York doctor SUSPECTED that
there was living iusect in the flesh. ard the
gentleman one day scratched the swelling, when
he observed something moving in the fluid
Whlch escaped, and found it to be living in
Sect one-elghth of an inch in length; under the
microscope it appeared to be covered with a
scale, with serated edges. 1t is probably the
Ahigoe, an insect resembling A flea. fonnd in
the West Indies, which penetrates the skin ; it
sometimes produces fatal cancer
In Africa there is worm called the GuTnea
worm, which buries itself in the flesh of man.
ana gives symptoms similar to those of this
gentleman but this is peculiar TO Guinea, and
is long, slender, and round like fiddle strings
It's length varies from six inches to twelve feet
The British soldiers stationed at Bombay are
frequently attacked by it out of three hundred
and sixty men, one hundred and ninety-nine
were attacked by it. When it introduces itself
into the flesh it is very minute parasite, not
more than the sixtieth part of an inch in length
and very slender, and exists on low, muddy
shores. This little intruder now grows i'm
mensely and becomes the parent of a numerous
offspring. 1t produces itching and crawling
sensation, and finally boil forms, and when
it breaks, the head of the animal protrudes,
which is then caught and gently extracted, care
being taken not to break it, otherwise serious
and even fatal effects are apt to ensue. The ex-
traction is very tedious work The natives cut
the skin when they are near the surface, and
then extract them
Medical writers describe no less than about
seventy varieties of parasites which nfest the
human system. Says recent writer: . 1t is
notorious fact that numerous parasites crawl
over our surface, burrow beneath the skin
nestle in our entrails and rict and propagate
their kind in every corner of our frames and
scarcely tissue or an organ but is occasionally
profined by their inroads. Each has its para
site or special domicile one specimen ofstrongle
chooses the heart for its place of abode, another
iahabits the arteries a third the kidneys. Myri-
ads OF minute worms have been found coiled up
in the muscles. A little luke, very much like a
miniature hounder, lives, stepped in gall, in the
liver. If the skin of the nose be squeezed a
cheesey matter will exude, and if examined by
the microscope ten to one several animalcules
extremely minute, but of complicated struc-
ture, will be seen. They are present in the
majority of living persons. 1t is less than one
hundredth of an inch long, has head, chest,
ii has eight legs, and very movable Jaws
By recent researches it has been proved be-
yond doubt that small insect is the cause of
itch the insect, by skilful management, can
be caught and seen under microscope 1t
seems strange and humilating fact that the
human body should provide food and a habita-
ton for so many and such varieties of these in
ferior creatures.