as affecting Domesticated Animals. 37 



plete. Thus we have in our possession ova, showins^ more or 

 less perfectly the formation of larva> within them ; ova-cases, 

 from which the larvae had escaped ; larva', in different stages of 

 growth ; exuvioi, as cast oft' from time to time from the growing 

 larva* ; pupa;, in their various stages of change into the perfect 

 insect ; and insects themselves just brought into active life." * 



Tliis extract, in addition to our other remarks, so fully 

 explains everything connected with the habitat and effects of 

 the dog-flea, that we may proceed tf) speak of the means at our 

 command to rid the animal of this troublesome parasite. 



Blaine, in his ' Canine Pathology,' thus writes : — 



" Washing the body ■well with soap-suds and directly afterwards combing it 

 with a small-toothed comb are the most ready means of dislodging those nimble 

 gentry. But it must be remembered that the previous washing is only to 

 enable the comb more readily to overtake them ; the water does not destroy 

 them, for dogs who swim every day are still found to have fleas. These insects 

 are very tenacious of life, and soon recover this temporary drowning ; the 

 comb, therefore, is principally to be depended on for their ca])ture before they 

 recover. But as washing is not, in many instances, a salutary practice ; and 

 as, iu many others, it is a very inconvenient one, so it becomes a matter worthy 

 of consideration how to be enabled to destroy them without these means. 



" Sopping the skin with tobacco-water has been recommended; but it has 

 only a momentary effect, and it not unfrequently poisons the dog. Innumer- 

 able other means I have tried to drive away fleas, but the onlj' tolerably 

 certain one 1 have discovered, is to make dogs sleep on fresh yellow deal 

 shavings. These shavings may be made so fine as to be as soft as a feather- 

 bed, and, if changed every week or fortnight, they make the most cleanly and 

 Avholesome one that a dog can rest on ; and the turpentine in them is very 

 obnoxious to the fleas. But, where it is absolutely impracticable to employ 

 deal shavings, it will be found useful to rub or dredge the dog's hide, once or 

 twice a week, with very finely-powdered resin; if simply rubV)cd in, add some 

 bran." f 



Besides the means recommended by Blaine, our experience 

 in the use of a watery solution of the sulphide of potassium 

 in the destruction of fleas and their larv<r, warrants us in 

 strongly recommending this agent. Let the dog be sponged 

 over with the solution, freshly made by adding 2 ozs, of the 

 sulphide to a pint of water. The whole body should be 

 covered at a time, and the sponging be repeated two or three 

 days in succession, after which the skin should be thoroughly 

 cleansed with soap and water. 



It should be remembered, however, that where dogs are sleep- 

 ing in kennels out of doors the most effectual means of ridding 

 them of fleas will often fail for want of a complete cleansing of the 

 kennels. These should not only be well washed, but thoroughly 

 purified with lime-water, and it may even be necessary to do 

 this two or three times in succession. The same care should 



'Veterinarian,' 1855, p. 335. f 'Canine Pathology,' p. 281. 



