An Account of Insect Hallucinations Affecting an Elderly Couple

Extract

Very rarely is an entomologist called upon to control the “insects” that are causing an obvious case of hallucinations. The following case history is of unusual interest because two people were involved, both having very similar experiences.

During November and December, 1952, Mr. and Mrs. X, aged 73 and 59 years, respectively, had been constantly plagued by an infestation of “bugs” in their well-kept farm home. The “bugs” were to be found in almost every part of the house at any time of the day, but were particularly bothersome during the night. Their bites were fearsome and occasioned a great deal of itching.