Lice 317 



ticks, which fasten themselves to the skin ; and the 

 mites, which either burrow into the skin or live under 

 crusts on the surface. Lice vary in size from minute 

 white specks to some of the large bird lice, that may 

 be one -third of an inch long. 



The eggs of the lice, commonly called "nits," are 

 small white ovoid bodies attached to the hairs or 

 feathers. Lice are exceedingly prolific. It has been 

 estimated that under favorable conditions a pair of the 

 louse of the human head can produce at the third gen- 

 eration (in about twelve weeks' time) an aggregate of 

 125,000 individuals ! 



The first symptom of louse infestation is itching of 

 the skin around the point of attack. On most animals, 

 the pests first appear in the region of the neck. Oi cat- 

 tle they are most frequently found along the back, and 

 on pigs just back of the ears. Lice are not confined to 

 any region, however, occurring on any part of the body 

 that is protected by hair or feathers. Any irritation of 

 the skin, such as sweating, increases the itching. To 

 relieve this, animals rub themselves against convenient 

 objects, lick or scratch themselves with the feet or horns, 

 and, in the case of fowls, with the bill. Lice of the 

 biting kind often produce small, irritated spots, like 

 pimples, on the skin. A careful and thorough examina- 

 tion of the animal, in a good light, will reveal the in- 

 sects, as well as the eggs or "nits " attached to the hairs. 

 Animals suffering from lice usually present an unthrifty 

 appearance, with ragged, dull hair or plumage, and 

 dirty skin. 



In treating lousy animals which are confined, the 



