In treating school children for itch by sponging their bodies over with the Solution of Pentasulphide of Calcium, the writer found that pediculi also disappeared when the clothes were immediately put on again. The White Precipitate Ointment may be smeared over the shoulders and armpits; and if it does not speedily cure the accompanying eczema or prurigo, other measures, such as Alkaline baths and inunctions of Oilve Oil, may be prescribed. Sometimes the nits of the body louse arc found attached to the fine hairs on the front of the chest, and in such cases the ordinary Sulphur Ointment may be freely applied.
Pediculus Pubis or the Crab Louse may prove very difficult to eradicate, especially when the parasite infests the various regions of the body in hairy men. When confined to the pubes a few applications of strong Carbolic Lotion (i in 2o) may destroy them, but the eggs are not likely to be affected by this. The writer has seen them effectually abolished by painting the parts once with the Glycerin of Carbolic but this is a severe remedy, and only applicable where the parasite is limited to a small area. Solution of Corrosive Sublimate (r gr. to r oz.) may be freely applied where the beard, whiskers, eyebrows, or chest are affected. The most manageable application, however, is an Ointment of White Pre cipitate (25 or 3o grs. tor oz. Lard). This may be frequently smeared
over the affected regions, and if a little Paraffin Oil be added a most efficacious parasiticide be obtained. A 5 per cent. Calomel Ointment is also generally efficacious.
It. Hydrarg. Amnon. Chlor. gr. xxxx.
Olei Petrolei Bats. Peruviani 5ij.
Lanolini ad :tij. Alisce.
Fiat Unguentum.
I3ernbeck advises a bath of 4 drs. of Corrosive Sublimate in 3o gallons of water as a remedy for all pediculi. Of all the mercurial preparations, the speediest and at the same time the safest is that of Brocq. Ile uses a solution of r gr. of Corrosive Sublimate dissolved in i oz. Vinegar, and states that this kills both the parasites and their ova at the same time. The common practice of rubbing in the strong mercurial ointment over extensive regions of skin is objectionable and dangerous.
Iodoform Ointment, or even the application of lodoform gauze, is often effective. Chloroform destroys both the parasite and ova by one thorough application, but it is liable to cause serious cutaneous inflammation or irritation. Ether spray is efficacious and very much less irritating, and it may be applied over the front of the chest and pubes without danger if no light is near.