38 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



The various species of these lice have similar habits, and all are 

 blood suckers, but each species inhabits only certain kinds of 

 animals, and some are restricted to particular parts of the 

 skin. Many animals have two or more species of these para- 

 sites. Five species have been described as parasitic upon man, 

 though but three are common. 



When they become very abundant, as they soon will if the 

 animals upon which they once get well established be neg- 

 lected, they cause great irritation of the skin and nervous 

 system, and the itching that they produce causes the animals 

 to rub themselves against buildings, fences, etc., and thus the 

 hair is often worn off and the skin abraded. Such animals 

 generally soon become weak and emaciated, and are, there- 

 fore, more liable to be attacked by other diseases. 



There are various washes which, if properly applied, will 

 very rapidly destroy all species of lice, without much trouble. 

 The use of preparations of mercury and arsenic, and all similar 

 poisons, should be avoided, for they often poison the animals, 

 as well as the persons who use them, and thus the remedy 

 may be worse than the disease. 



A strong solution of tobacco, made by boiling cheap tobacco 

 in water, is an effectual remedy, in common use. Snuff 

 rubbed into the hair is also used. Ordinary whale-oil, such as 

 was formerly used in lamps, poured upon the skin along the 

 back of an ox, cow, calf, or sheep, will diffuse itself over the 

 skin and kill the lice. Weak petroleum water, or carbolic 

 acid solution, or carbolic soap, may be used as a wash, or 

 small animals may be immersed in a bath, taking care to 

 keep the nose, mouth, and eyes out of it. But perhaps one of 

 the best and simplest, as well as safest, washes for this pur- 

 pose, as well as to destroy fleas, mites, itch-insects, mange- 

 acari, and all other external parasites of man and animals, is 

 a solution of sulphuret of potassium in water, two to four 

 ounces to the gallon of cold water, varying the strength ac- 

 cording to the age and tenderness of the skin of the animal, 

 for the solution will contain some free potash, which, if too 

 strong, might irritate a delicate skin. There is otherwise no 

 danger from its use, though its odor, like sulphuretted hydro- 



