133 



Peacock (A. D.). The Louse problem at the Western Front. — Br. Med. 

 JL, London, nos. 2891 & 2892, May 27th & June 3rd, 1916, 

 pp. 745-749 & pp. 784-788, 9 figs. 



In the first part of this paper the anatomy and habits of Pediculus 

 himianus, L., are dealt with at length. The eggs hatch in from 10 to 12 

 days, and though the longest period during which lice survive separation 

 from the human body is nearly nine days, the maximum time during 

 which eggs under such conditions may remain dormant is about 40 

 days. It is therefore an important fact that eggs on clothing, especially 

 outer garments, if not treated regularly by ironing or disinfection, are a 

 possible source of infestation for as long as a month after laying. 



Details are given of the distribution of hce on the clothing, as well 

 as of the degrees of infestation in the different classes of troops. The 

 base trenches are somewhat less infested than the dug-outs, though 

 the troops in them suffer about equally, owing to the impossibihty of 

 changing under-clothing in the former. Evidence is adduced that it is 

 not the dug-outs themselves which harbour the pest, but the men 

 and clothing in them. Blankets are said to be minor factors in 

 dissemination and, though straw may be sufficiently infested at the 

 end of seven days to infest men using it, as lice greatly prefer clothing 

 to straw, the chances of straw becoming an important factor in convey- 

 ing them is thought to be small. The men themselves, despite such 

 efforts at cleanliness as can be made under the conditions, are the real 

 carriers and centres of infestation. 



A great number of experiments were made with insecticides and 

 deterrents and N.C.I. (Naphthaline 96 %, creosote 2%, iodoform 2 %) 

 proved the most efficient ; the powder should not be used too freely, 

 as it is apt to cause severe smarting. Vermijelli is also effective, but 

 an ointment consisting of soft paraffin 2 lb. and crude tar oil 4 oz., 

 proved still more so. A combined use of N.C.I, and VermijelH gave a 

 better result than either separately. Mercurial blue ointment did not 

 give very good results, and its use over large areas of the body is 

 impossible, as poisoning may result. Sulphur proved a complete 

 failure. The methods of disinfecting clothing by steam and boihng 

 water are briefly discussed as quite effective for large quantities ; cresol 

 solution, 1^ % cold, will kill all lice on a shirt soaked in it for 1 hour ; 

 chloride of Ume solution, 7 % cold, is effective in 24 hours, but alum, 

 10 % cold, was a total failure. Unless the clothing be thoroughly 

 disinfected at the same time, mere bathing is only of temporary use. 



The paper concludes with a number of practical suggestions for the 

 individual and the organisation of disinfection on a large scale and the 

 use of insecticides in the trenches, billets and hospitals. 



KiNLOCH (J. P.). An investigation of the best methods of destroying 

 lice and other body vermin. II. — Br. Med. Jl, London, no. 2392, 

 3rd June 1916, pp. 789-793. 



This paper is a continuation of a former one [see this Review, Ser. B, 

 iii, p. 156]. As the result of a lengthy series of experiments, the author 

 arrives at the following conclusions : — 



Lice do not survive immersion in boiUng water. Of several insecti- 

 cidal powders which have been tested, N.C.I, is the most destructive ; 

 of the three constituents of this powder, naphthahne and creosote 



(C295) Wt. Pl/106. 1,500. 9.16. B.&F.Ltd. Gp.11/3. A 



