178 



why silk underclothing, being smoother than cotton or wool, has been 

 advised as a prophylactic. After reviewing the various methods 

 employed against lice, a means of using creolin and cresol, especially 

 the former, is described. The apparatus consists of a wooden cupboard 

 and a boiler for generating the creohn vapour. The cupboard is about 

 6 feet high by 3 feet wide and 1^ feet deep and can be instantly taken 

 to pieces and as quickly put together again. When dismantled it 

 forms two flat packages which are strapped on either side of a mule, 

 on the back of which the 4-gallon boiler is also carried together with its 

 furnace. For use, the cupboard is set up and connected up by a tube 

 with the boiler placed alongside of it on the ground. The articles to 

 be disinfected are hung on hooks, care being taken that they are not 

 too closely packed and that they hang at least 2 inches above the mouth 

 of the delivery tube. After closing the cupboard, 7 pints of a 10 per 

 cent, saponaceous solution of creohn is poured into the boiler and the 

 fire is lighted, a few pieces of wood being sufficient for the firing. A 

 small hole in one side of the cupboard allows a thermometer to be 

 introduced, so that the temperature may be watched; on 113° F. 

 (45° C.) being reached, the time must be taken and 15 minutes at that 

 temperature must be allowed in order to kill both the lice and their 

 eggs. When starting work not more than half an hour is required to 

 bring the liquid to boiling point ; succeeding operations require even 

 less time, for the liquid is already hot. About 14 oz. of solution is 

 evaporated each time, but the boiler is fitted with a funnel which 

 allows it to be replenished without interrupting the work. In actual 

 practice 300 sets of uniform and equipment were dealt with in six hours. 

 This apparatus may be taken to and erected at advanced outposts 

 and the soldier need not leave his station, only requiring to shelter in a 

 tent for the short time necessary, which gives him an opportunity of 

 applying an insecticide to his person. The garments are not rendered 

 sufficiently damp to injure the man's health even when put on 

 immediately. A bibhography of 33 works is given. 



MacDougall (R. S.). Insect and Arachnid Pests of 1915. — 



Trans. Highland & Agric. Soc. Scotland, 1916, pp. 1-33, 13 figs. 

 [Reprint received 13th September 1916.] 



Notes are given on the habits, life-history, and methods of control 

 of Pedicidus humanus {vestimenti) (body louse). The following 

 dressings are recommended for use against Haematopinus asini [macroce- 

 phalus) and Trichodectes parumpilosus {equi) on horses : — (1) arsenious 

 acid, 1 oz,, soft soap, 2 ozs., carbonate of soda, 1| ozs., water, 2 pts., 

 diluted to 5 gals, before use ; (2) 2 per cent, creohn solution ; (3) 

 perchloride of mercury, 1 part in 1,000 of water, for apphcation on the 

 legs only. Mange in horses, due to Sarcoptes scabiei var. equi, Psoroptes 

 communis var. equi, and Chorioptes (Symbiotes) equi, may be treated 

 with the following preparations : — (1) sulphur, oil of terebinth, spirits 

 of tar, and liquor potassae, 1 oz. of each, rape oil, 1 pt. ; (2) sulphur, 

 2 parts, potassium carbonate, 1 part, sperm oil, 8 parts. Sarcoptic 

 mange has been recorded on dairy cows and has passed from them to 

 cowmen. The dressing recommended consists of 1 part sulphur and 

 4 parts vaseUne or fish oil. 



