316 SANITARY ENTOMOLOGY 



Either there must be a thorougli system of inspection on entrance, or all 

 applicants must be assumed to be infected, and accordingly bathed and 

 have their clothing sterilized. 



CONTROL OF LICE ON THE BODY 



Control of Crab Louse 



The crab or pubic louse is confined usually to the hairy portions of 

 the body, including the head and the eyebrows. Its eggs are attached 

 to the hairs, and the lice themselves remain fixed to the body, with the 

 head imbedded. Prophylaxis for it is therefore largely personal. The 

 infected person should bathe in hot water and use an insecticidal soap 

 such as the kerosene emulsion soap described above, and then anoint the 

 infected parts with yellow oxide of mercury ointment, mercurial ointment 

 (blue ointment), carbolic acid 2 per cent followed by olive oil, or vermi- 

 jelly made up by the following formula : 



Texas fuel oil, sp. grav. 0.86, b. p. 250 to 350° C 50 parts 



Crude vaseline 20 parts 



Soft soap 30 parts 



The cutting or shaving of pubic or axillary hairs is to be avoided 

 because of the discomfort caused. Powders such as N. C. I., etc., should 

 not be used in the pubic regions. 



Control of Head Louse 



The head louse is usually confined to the head and lays its eggs on the 

 hairs. The usual approved prophylaxis consists of daily combing and 

 brushing and periodic washing. It is well to keep children's hair short. 

 Many children's institutions clip the boys' hair, and clipping of hair is a 

 common military practice. Several insecticidal hair washes are used: 



1. Wash head with equal parts of kerosene and vinegar or 25 per 

 cent acetic acid for one half hour, keeping the head covered with a towel. 

 The vinegar separates the eggs from the hairs, while the kerosene kills 

 them. Use a fine-toothed comb to remove the eggs and lice. Wash the 

 head with warm water and soap containing kerosene (Nuttall). 



2. Have patient lie down with the head over edge of bed above a 

 basin resting on a chair, so that the hair lies in the basin. Pour the 

 carbolic water over the hair so that it falls into the basin and sluice it 

 about until the hair is soaked, for ten minutes. Drain, wring out mod- 

 erately, and wrap head in flannel towel. After an hour wash the hair or 



