London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Port of London 1914

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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40
" The females are somewhat larger, measuring some 230w. in length by 60w.
in breadth. They also are possessed o£ eight legs, mouth apparatus and annulated
tapering abdomen, but are distinguished by the possession of an egg sac situated
in the interior portion of the abdomen.
" The larvæ differ from the adults mainly in only possessing six legs, in
possessing no developed sexual apparatus, and in their smaller size. Their
measurements are 160w. long and 45w. broad.
" Section of the skin showed that these nodules appeared to arise in the sebaceous
glands converting same into little cysts lined by fairly dense fibrous material, and
containing sebaceous material and crowds of parasites.
" Parasites of the genus demodex have been described in various animals, including,
man, dog, cat, pig, ox, hare, sheep, horse, fox, deer, bat, rat. and field mouse. In the
last named it was first described as Zschokke.
" The species occurring in the pig is known as demodex foliculorum (var. suis.).
" It does appear to be of common occurrence in the pig. It was first described in
that animal by Csokok in 1878. Since then it has been noted by Neumann, Wright,
and Lindquist.
i! These observers state that the favourite site for the activities is in the skin of the
groin. It is also found on the neck, the brisket, the flanks, and the internal aspect of
the legs, but they do not mention the skin of the face as part affected by the ravages
of the pest.
" The general health of any of the hosts attacked by these parasites does not seem
to be affected, and the disease is a purely local affair."
It does not render the carcase unfit for human food, after the affected part has been
removed.
PIG-CARCASES FROM CHINA.
The s.s. " Brodvale," from Hankow, arrived in the Port of London on the
6th April, and discharged :—
28,890 cases of poultry and game,
14,017 cases of egg yolk,
1,000 cases of salmon.
The remainder of the cargo, namely :—
26,720 cases of poultry and game,
7,862 caises of egg yolk,
1,800 cases of salmon,
163 carcases of deer,
462 packages of lard,
1 case ox-tongues,
4,611 pig-carcases,
were taken in the vessel to Liverpool.