THE ITCH-MITE OF MAN. 57 



be greatly shortened. Next it is necessary to kill the para- 

 sites. For this purpose the common sulphnr-ointment should 

 be rubbed thoroughly over the body, and if this operation is 

 performed well all mites that were exposed by the previous 

 rubbing and came in contact with this medicine, are 

 killed. Those patients who possess a tougher skin 

 can have this ointment left on over night, when it 

 should be removed by a hot bath in the morning. 

 Of course a thick-skinned laborer needs a very dif- 

 erent treatment than that of a delicate child. If 

 the patient possesses a very tender skin sulphur-soap 

 can be substituted. A solution of sulphuret of potas- 

 sium in w^ater, two or four ounces to the gallon of cold 

 water, varying the strength according to the age of the pa- 

 tient and the tenderness of the skin, is also a very safe w^ash. 

 As the odor of this substance is ver3^ unpleasant it should 

 only be used where plenty of A^entilation can be had. All 

 these substances will succeed if thoroughly applied; a few 

 mites left could soon multiply again and cause fresh trouble. 

 To prevent this the wash should be applied at least th ee 

 times, at intervals of three or four days, to destroy the 

 young mites as fast as they hatch. There are many other 

 remedies, such as sulphur, tar, naphtol, styrax, Peruvina 

 balsam and others, and specialists of skin-diseases have 

 a large choice of substances and methods of applications 

 adapted to the purse of the patient, and to their cutaneous 

 sensibilities. But w^e strongly advise anyone suffering from 

 this nasty disease to apply to a physician, and let him conduct 

 the treatment. All underclothes should be washed most 

 thoroughly in very hot water, bed clothes must be 

 heated to 100° C. for several hours to destroy the mites. 

 The outer garments, contrary to expectations, do not need 

 such a vigorous scouring. 



As the parasites live in the skin of their hosts, contagion 

 comes from personal contact, particularly from hand to 

 hand, and the most high-bred, refined, or cleanly persons are 

 not exempt. 



