44 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1905. 



PARASITIC DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 

 THE PIG LOUSE. 



Haematopinus suis (Linn.). 



Under the name of H. urius, Nitzsch, I recorded this louse in 

 my last Report (p. 61) from Knovvle. Since, various correspondents 

 have reported the same, with requests for further information. 



The species is the largest of its family, full-grown female 

 specimens measuring over a quarter of an inch in length. The 

 male is rather smaller. 



The eggs are elongated oval in shape and have an operculum 

 or lid at one end, which admits of the exit of the young louse. At 

 the opposite end the egg is attached by a gluey substance to the 

 base of a hair. When laid, they are bluish-white in colour and 

 covered with small hexagonal punctations. The eggs hatch out 

 in from five to sixteen days, varying according to the temperature. 



If badly affected with lice, the skin of swine becomes covered 

 with sores and swellings, and considerable inflammation develops; 

 the result is that their growth is seriously interfered with, and at 

 the same time their general physical condition is weakened, thus 

 rendering the animals liable to various contagious diseases. It is 

 held by many writers on swine diseases that these lice may carry the 

 infection of swine cholera from sick to healthy animals. 



Fortunately, it is not a difficult matter to free swine attacked 

 by this pest; two or three dressings of creolin, 10 to 15 per cent, in 

 water, will soon effect a cure. Paraffin emulsion, made as follows, 

 is also effecive : Paraffin, I gallon; hard soap, \ Ib. ; water, \ gall. 

 Boil the soap and water until the former is dissolved ; then remove 

 from the fire, and whilst still hot add the paraffin ; then churn well 

 until an emulsion is formed. If well mixed, this forms a gela- 

 tinous mass on cooling, and will keep indefinitely. When required 

 for use, heat again (exercising great care on account of the inflam- 

 mable paraffin present), and mix with 20 gallons of warm water. 

 Apply with an ordinary force pump with a spray nozzle. 



