New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-14
civilization which has made the world what "
is to-day under the inspiration of PROFESSIONALISM
THE TSETSE FLY.

An interesting and important contribution 10
sanitary science has been made by Captain Bruce
through his investigations Of the tsetse ny anu
the disease associated with It, This insect was
first made known to the world, or, at any rate
enst accurately described. by Livingstone. IL Is
creature much resembling in appearance the
common house fly, though a triffe larger. II Is
found in abundance throughout Central Aiii0a
especially in swamps woodlands ana othei vi"
cultivated and uninhabited places It's pite Is all
noylng. but not dangerous nor even serious "
man, to goats buffaloes, antelopes' zeoras aiiu
other creatures while to dogs, horses oxen sheep
and asses II is almost invariably fatal. causing
fever. anaemla, dropsy and otner iorihiuaoie
SUMMONS for which no remedy has yet been
found The common theory has hitherto peen thac
the fly secretes and transmits to its victims spe
cidc virus OF It's own. just as do venomous ser
penis.
Captain Bruce however, controverts tnat
theory apparently with success. Inc ny, ne says
does indeed transmit specific virus but not OF l's
own secretion 1t is merely passive agent ior
conveying the poison from one creature to an
other The poison moreover. is q living organism,
n protozoon. closely resembling that which Is
known to be the cause OF the 'surra" disease In
India. and similar to, If not Identical with, that
rope. The method of conveying the virus Is SIM
ple The hy bites an animal already infected with
the disease sucks It's blood, and thus becomes
charged with the noxoue parasite Then II bites
an unlnfected animal, and not only SUCKS us
blood but introduces some OF the parasites INTO
It's veins where they speedily multiply ana pro-
duce the characteristic result
The next step will be to ascertain the natural
habitat OF the tsetse parasite. Evidently II can
not b, the blood OF domestic animals since the
parasite is pathological TO them. 1t Is prooaoy 10
be found in the blood Of certain wild animals
where the parasite Is either entirely innocuous or
causes ONLY a slight disorder II Is well known
that various parasites are thus harmless 70 some
animals and deadly TO others Thus that which
causes the 'eurra" disease In India exists innocu-
ously in the blood az rats; and the germs OF an
thrax. so fatal to the sheep u Europe. have no
evil effect upon those of Algeria. This theory is
further Indicated by the fact that the tsetse fly
Is found, or. at any rate is harmful. only where
"blg game" IS also found. As soon all large
Wild animals are extcrminatcd In any considerable
region domestic animals may safely be introduced.
Il IS scarcely necessary TO suggest that full con-
rmation Of tho theory will greatly hasten the de-
struction If the native fauna Of Africa. as pre-
requhitc . civilization.
Il IS interesting to observe the close accordance
between the theory thus formulated concerning
the tsctse ny and that recently elaborated by en-
tlrelv !ndependcnt research. concerning the mos
quito and It's agency FOR the propagation Of mala-
ria Other boOdsucklng creatures may be found
t. play similar parts IN the sprea ilnS u diseases
By means ~ minute hagel!ated organisms. and a
vast new h,ld IN the science Of human pathology
may thus be opened up 10 benchcent cultivation.
7, IS understood that Captain Bruce is u continue
his Investigations Of the tsetse. In that work he
should have all possible encouragement and sup
port FOR the results may be Of incalculable value
to mankind.