56 THE ITCH-MITE OF MAN. 



this pimple we never succeed, as the parasite is some distance 

 away in the blind end of the burrow. 



The mining and boring operations of the mite cause in- 

 tense itching and irritation of the nerves of the skin, and 

 quite often an inflammation, which produces peculiar erup- 

 tions on the surface. This intolerable itching causes the one 

 infested to scratch himself incessantly, and the patients have 

 no rest on that account, and consequently tear and lacerate 

 their skin in all directions. But not all portions of the body 

 of man are suitable for these intruders; they need a soft skin 

 to enable them to enter. This is the reason that w^e usually 

 find the first indications of the itch between the fingers, where 

 the skin is tender, and here the peculiar looking burrows can 

 be readily detected. The region infested by this unpleasant 

 parasite of man is so definite, that those familiar with skin 

 diseases can detect their presence at once. 



Remedies. — How can we separate ourselves from these 

 intimate friends? They are hidden beneath the tough layers 

 of our skin, which have to be removed to reach them; next 

 we have to apply something that will come in contact with 

 the intruders, that will kill them but not injure us; and finally 

 we have to cure the eruptions and sores caused bj^ such con- 

 stant scratchings. Of course a great deal depends upon the 

 length ot time a person has been affected, or in other words 

 upon the number of mites he harbors, and upon the sensi- 

 bility of the skin. It is well known that the longer the para- 

 sites are neglected the more numerous they become. It is a 

 good thing, however, that their increase in numbers is cjuite 

 slow; if the mites are not destroyed b3' proper methods they 

 will flourish just as long as the host lives. To kill them w^e 

 must first of all soften and remove the loose epidermis of the 

 patient. Everyone ought to be familiar with the effect of a 

 long-continued application of warm water and soap to the 

 skin; this treatment swells up the scurf skin, softens the 

 same, and enables us to scrape or rub it off. Soaking in hot 

 water and rubbing all parts of the body with strong soft- 

 soap is the first step to remove this very unpleasant intruder. 

 To do this well requires about half an hour's work. Of 

 course for very delicate skins this operation can or should 



