CARRIER DISCOVERED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 6

CARRIER DISCOVERED.

THE INFANTILE PARALYSIS OUTBREAK. A SEA BEACH FLY. MYSTERIOUS HORSE DISEASE. IS THERE A CONNECTION? Important news in connection with the outbreak: of infantile paralysis is contained in a message from Christchurch, intimating the possibility of a fly which abounds on the sea beach being proved to be the mysterious "carrier" the identity of which has so far baffled research. The establishment of this fact would doubtless enable the health authorities to tackle the epidemic on lines which should bring more 'definite results. Inquiries made this morning showed that the fly in question, known entomologically as Coelopa littoralis, is very frequent on the Auckland beaches. It was first described by Captain F. W. Hutton, from specimens obtained by him on the sea beach at Wellington, but since then it has been found in many localities on the coast of New Zealand. Although not belonging to the same genus, it is closely related to the common stable fly (Sfcamoxys calcitrans). and it is of the same family as another 6table fly known in New Zealand (Muscina stabulans), and is not far removed from the hot fly and many other wellknown llies. ABUNDANT IN AUCKLAND. It is described in Hudson's "Manual of New Zealand Entomology" as follows: "It is extremely abundant on the sea beach. Its larva feeds on decaying seaweed, burrowing itself into tne sand before changing. The perfect insects, often congregate in such vast numbers on some of the rocks that it is necessary to run past them in order to avoid being positively suffocated by the countless multitudes which fly up into one's face. This insect must be regarded as the New Zealand representative of the wellknown dung-fly of England (S. stercoiraria)." Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, the curator of the Auckland Museum, when seen by a "Star" reporter this morning, stated that the fly was well known in the Auckland district. In one or two places on the sea coast near Auckland he had seen the insect clustering in great masses on the rocks a little above highwater mark, and he presumed that it was still present unless it had disappeared within recent years. He had seen the fly in great numbers between St. Helier's Bay and Tamaki Heads, and another locality where it had been found in great numbers 'Was north of Lake Takapuna. Anyone .walking along the coastline at low water from St Helier's to Tamaki Heads, or from Cheltenham Beach to Tafeapuna Beach, and closely examining the Tocks at the base of the cliffs, would doubtless see the insects. They could readily be -recognised by their habit of rising in dense i black clouds from the rocks immediately anyone approached, and descending upon the intruder in thousands. He himself had had to run to avoid being almost suffocated by them.

That there is believed to be some association between the sea-beach and the epidemic seems to be indicated by a wanting issued by Dr. Valintine, Cliicf Public Health Officer, a few weeks ago, advising parents not to allow their, children to indulge in prolonged bathing by the sea beach. HORSE 'PARALYSIS. Co-Incidental with the outbreak of infantile paralysis had occurred a mysterious epidemic amongst horses in tha south, the main symptom of which is paralysis, and, although the nature of the disease has not yet been diagnosed, its possible connection with the outbreak of infantile paralysis is suggested by the opinion expressed by a wellknown entomologist, who is at present in Auckland, that the disease is the horse-sickness of Rhodesia, which takes off thousands of horses in the same way in that country. The gentleman in question, Dr. Harold Swales, who has lived in Africa and Asia for many years, said that, judging by the symptoms which were reported to have marked the disease in the south, there was little doubt that it was "horse-sickness." This disease was so rapid in its action that horses were paralysed and dead within a day. It was known to be conveyed by the bite of flies which were not armed with poisonous defensive weapons, but acted as carriers through fcedim* or settling on germ-ridden matter. °The introduction and spread of'this disease in the Dominion might be by means of either of the two stable flies. The beach fly, as has already been stated, is closely related to the two stable flics