Pu'lex

A genus of insects belonging to the cla Hexapod a and the family Pulicidae, including the true fleas. P. bras i liens is. See P. cheopis. P. cheopis. Syn. for Xenopsylla cheopis. The rat flea of the tropics; it is the chief transmitter of bubonic plague from rats to men. P. hominis. See P. irritans. P. irritans. The common flea parasitic on man, but also infesting dogs, cats, rats, and other animals. P. pene trans. Syn. for Derma to phil us p. The chigoe, jigger, sand flea; a minute insect resembling in its general anatomy the common flea, but much smaller, found in various regions of Central and South America, in the West Indies, and in parts of the southern United States. The impregnated female, which is of about half the size of the male, burrows under the skin of the feet, especially about the toe nails, and there lays its eggs. Irritation with more or le inflammation supervenes unle the parasite is removed, and sometimes ulceration, gangrene, lo of the toes, or tetanus may result. P. philip pin ens is. See P. cheopis. P. vulgar is. See P. irritans. [Lat., pulex, flea.]