ACARODERMATITIS URTICARIOIDES

IN PALESTINE the existence of many cutaneous diseases causing itching and a rash—urticaria phlebotomica, scabies and miliaria ruba—has obviously overshadowed the rather modest but nevertheless important acarodermatitis urticarioides, which is caused by the mite Pediculoides ventricosus. In 1937 I¹described a rash found among milkers, which was traced to the handling of hay coming from a communal settlement near Haifa. Pediculoides ventricosus was suspected to be the causative agent. On examination numerous dead insects and insect larvae of the lepidoptera and coleoptera types were found, but no Pediculoides ventricosus mites could be traced. Every year since 1935 I have seen single and group cases. In 80 cases investigations were made to find the origin of this rash. In 1944 I succeeded in finding Pediculoides ventricosus, and this enables me to report on the epidemiology of this disease in Palestine. Farmers, porters, drivers, milkers and stablehands were among the