LICE 473 



is soiled with the excrement of the parasite which appears 

 as brown specks scattered through the hair. Birds pick and 

 scratch the skin to relieve the irritation and pluck at their 

 feathers. Severe infestations in young or feeble animals 

 may finally cause death from exhaustion. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is easy by identifying the flea. 

 It is well to be careful not to attribute a severe condition to 

 fleas alone as smaller parasites may also be present. 



Treatment. The destruction of fleas on dogs and cats is 

 best effected by the use of creolin (1 to 2 per cent.) solution. 

 It is cheap, only slightly toxic and may be applied to the 

 entire skin surface at one time, and will destroy all fleas with 

 which it comes in contact. The odor which persists for two 

 or three days will prevent further infestation only for that 

 period, consequently a thorough cleansing of the premises 

 and the repeated use of the creolin solution in the kennel 

 are necessary for permanent relief. Creolin is somewl at 

 irritating to the animal's eyes which may be avoided by 

 careful bathing. Owing to the odor it is not advisable to 

 use it on house pets. Instead pyrethrum or insecticide pow- 

 ders containing same should be used by dusting it well in the 

 hair or feathers and then brushing it out in fifteen to thirty 

 minutes. Serious results have followed the too liberal and 

 careless use of it. Frequent cleansing of both animals and 

 quarters is discouraging to these pests. The use of powdered 

 tobacco in the bedding or sprinkling the floor with creolin 

 solution usually serves to prevent further infestation. Dogs 

 permitted free range will soon become reinfested from asso- 

 ciation with others. The nests of birds may be kept free 

 from lice by mixing powdered tobacco with the straw. Gum 

 camphor may be used in the same way. 



LICE. 



Description. The louse as ordinarily classed covers all 

 the wingless parasites which do not jump. Lice do not leave 

 their hosts except the fowl louse which drops off after engorge- 

 ment with blood to return again when the birds return to 

 roost. They are dull white in color except when engorged 



