Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-23
The Bug That Has Been Creating so
Much Trouble.
4 VERY UNPLEASANT BITE
The Animal Has Name as Severe
as Its Work.
AN GRAVATED GAS E


sting has been discovered. To the authori-
ties its name is given as melanolestes pi-
cipes.
With this development in the epidemic
of bites, however, has come another to upset
all the theories heretofore advanced. DR..
Carr, the District coroner, was at the
Emergency Hospital this morning, and was
present when young man about twenty
one years of age walked In, sufferer from
the extensive swelling about the lips and
cheek, the symptoms and conditions that
have existed in all the cases treated during
the past few days at the institution DR..
Carr made a thorough examination of the
swollen area in conjunction with two OF the
staff surgeons. At the conclusion ne an
nounCed positively that the case was not
enc of sting or bite, but nervous affec-
ticn. There was no abrasion of the skin,
with the exception of a slightly inf1amed
spot well within the upper lip.
The Emergency Hospital physicians nave
heretofore chung to the theory that the
cases of swollen and inflamed lips and faces
that have been so numerous or late were the
results Of bites or stings. In none OF Lhe
cases that has come under their notice mas
the patient seen the animal that inflicted
the damage, if, indeed. bug or insect II
be- Notwithstanding the apparent epidem-
ic of such cases, DR.. Carr is positive there
is no other cause than nervous disorder.
This Is the nuScuIs
If it be the bite of an insect underlying
the trouble, that insect is none other than
the melanolestes picipes. One might not
realize the fact casually, but unless all en-
tomological calculations are at fault, the
guilty animal has been apprehended. Back
ing I'D the contention of the pernicious ac-
tivity of this bug which has name as bit
ter as its sting is tie capture of two or the
species by an assistant in the division of en-
tomology of the Department of Agriculture.
This gentleman, while sitting in his study
few nights since, was stung by the Great
ure Being interested in matters OF the
kind he Immediately instituted a search OF
the premises. succeeding In bagglng the
bothersome brace that had found their way
into his home. Undergoing quick treat
ment the entomologist did not suffer to any
extent from the sting he received. Had the
wound been inflicted during ms sleep now
have been chroncled with the numerous
others.
Acclamatory assent must be given to the
wag who first slangily, but appropriately in
some instances 1t must be admitted con.
ferred upon the mad house the title or
bug house" Those who have come In
contact with the melsnolestes picipes recog-
lent melanolestes has cognomen likely to
inf1ict heavy loss of restraining FACULTY.
Its sting produces an effect not unlike the
cases reported in the papers during the past
get home and family.
No Intention of Harm.
The melanolestes is intent upon no harm.
He would doubtless assume an air OF deep
ly injured innocence if accused of doing
mean things Modesty is a favorite trait
and he huzzes about with as little buzz as
possibIe AS a matter of fact, he would be-
come much more popular if his buzz would
rent the rippled waves of SOUND with the
Juror and ferocty of a hundred saw mliis
working over time. This bug is one OF the
limited class of unwelcome inhabitants of
the capital city. In this he displays an eX-
clusiveness that is prominent IN ms cLar-
acter. Very few sections of the country
have the doubtful pleasure of his acquaint-
ance Very few sections of the country
find it necessary to coax god Morpheus be-
cause of the slight.
Melanolestes picipes IS possessed OF
beak If it were not for this extraordinary
proboscis he would never have attained the
rotoriety now accorded him. An irrasisti-
HE desire to investigate all the little mat
tars that happen to present themselves 10
his attention has got him disliked with ms
prying beak he punctures everything.
Attracted within the homestead by the
lighted lamps and gas jets, it is seldom the
melanolestes presents himself IN proper
style. When the lights are extinguished
and all is dark his modesty again asserts
itself He moves about uneasily and sell
dc m fails to bring up against the counter
ance of the unWary sleeper HIS JEAN ioSeo
no time in finding its way through the
skin. 1t is not intentional, and should not
be held against the bug. 1t is just an in
herent fault he has. Needless to say that
in this promiscuous probing the melanolestes
accumulates a supply of bacterial poison,
which he conveys from place to place. This
poison brought beneath the skin in the
puncturing process naturally brings about
undesirable results.
DIR. HOward's Remarks.
DIR. L. O. Howard, chief entomologist for
the Agricultural Department, is of the
opinion that this bug is the foundation of
the wave of trouble thas has washed
against so many persons. He has received
no definite report from the hospitals on the
subject, but If the cases are results of bites,
then the melanolestes is the guilty party.
The fact that the bug is known to have
bitten a government scientist, and is more
nlme rous this year than for decade, GER
tainIy lends colol to the theory of bug bites
as the cause of at least a majority of the
swollen faces that have been treated since
the season was inauSurated. DIR. Carr did
not attempt to say that all the cases were
ores of nervous affection The young man
he examined this morning might have been
an exception. although the symptoms were
similar to those of preceding cases.
For fear there may De few persons in
Washington whose education has been ne
elected to the extent of a lack of knowledge
on the subject of the melanolestes picipes,
it is described as a black insect about half
an inch in length, with a body something
like that of a beetle. Instead of jaws or
pinchers, however, the pest has that ia
nous beak which is sharp. His punctures
are not always serious, the extent of the
damage depending entirely upon the
amount of bacterial poison that may have
been collected. There is no natural poison
in the melanolestes. He is known as true
bug. Most insects are classed commonly
as bugs in general but this is truly speci-
men of the bug clan. He has no common
name, for he is a distinguished and titled
inhabitant of the air, and is. not known to
the public at large.
Aggravated Case.
An aggravated case of the bite of the
melanolestes has been repo rted to the De-
partment of Agriculture from Wilmington,
Del. A gentleman, discovering q small
black bug on the dining table, picked it up
He felt a sharp sting on the forefinger not
unlike the pricking sensation of a lance
He dropped the bug with alacrity. Gather
ing up a napkin and doubling 1t he again
attempted to deal with the unwelcome Wis
itor. The same sharp sting was felt, this
time on the left thumb. Both wounds were
painful and the skin of the hand and fore
arm became badly swollen. In this instance