INSECTS INJURIOUS TO MAN AND IN HOUSEHOLD 649 



ditions. Lice are more commonly found in camps and among 

 children in poor surroundings. 



There are three common species: The head-louse (Pediculis 

 capitis), the body-louse (Pediculus vestmenti), and the pubic 

 louse (Phthirius inguinalis] 



The body louse is the "cootie" of the "A. E. F." or the ''gray- 

 back" of the lumber camps. It attaches itself to clothing, con- 

 cealing itself in seams where the eggs are laid. From there it makes 

 its way to the body only to feed. The head louse spends its entire 

 life in the hair on the head, attaching its eggs or "nits" to the 

 hairs. 



Head lice may be killed by the use of hair-oils or other oil 

 which will not injure the hair or skin. Clipping the hair is the 

 best remedy for children. Body lice require treatment of the 

 body and of the clothing. Clothing should be steamed or fumi- 

 gated and underclothing boiled. Oils or sulphur ointment or 

 "blue ointment" will kill the lice on the body. Oils were very 

 largely used in the "de-lousing stations" among the allied armies 

 in France. A very effective remedy is to sponge the entire body 

 with a solution of bi-chloride of mercury, 1 to 1000, washing the 

 body a few minutes later. This will kill all stages in one thorough 

 application. It is applicable for all species but is not so desirable 

 for use on the head louse. 



Chiggers * 



These pests will need little description for those readers who 

 live in the South and the Central States, at least the effect of 

 them will be familiar to all in those regions where they are the 

 bane of the barefoot youngsters on the farm and are at times 

 troublesome to adults. They are minute mites, probably of 

 different species, which live normally on certain weeds and are 

 especially abundant in berry plantings or among wild berry 

 vines. When they are jarred off onto the skin they immediately 

 burrow and later become engorged with blood, causing intense 

 itching and local swellings. This feeding habit is not normal for 

 them and the mites die, but only after the damage is done. 



* Order Acarina, Class Arachnida. 



