VERMIN IN THE SKIN. 423 



Irritative inflammation- of the skin is produced by fleas, lice, and 

 ticks, which are readil}' discovered by examining the roots of the 

 hair. Dog-fleas resemble in appearance those of the human sub- 

 ject. The lice infesting him are, however, much larger, but 

 otherwise similar in appearance. Dog-ticks may easily be recog- 

 nised by their spider-like form, and bloated bodies, the claws 

 adhering firmly to the skin, so that they are with some difficulty 

 removed from it. These last are of all sizes, from that of an 

 average pin's head to the dimensions of a ladybird, beyond which 

 they seldom grow in the dog. They suck a great quantity of 

 blood when they are numerous, and impoverish the animal to a 

 terrible extent, partly by the drain on the system, and partly by 

 the constant irritation which they produce. The remedies are as 

 follows : — 



To remove fleas and lice : — 



Mix soft soap with as much carbonate of soda as will make it into a thick paste, 

 then rub this well into the roots of the hair all over the dog's body, adding a little 

 hot water so as to enable the operator to completely saturate the skin with it. 

 Let it remain on for half an hour, then put the dog into a warm bath for ten 

 minutes, letting him quietly soak, and now and then ducking his head under. 

 Lastly wash the soap completely out, and dry before the fire, or at exercise, if the 

 weather is not too cold. This, after two or three repetitions, will completely 

 cleanse the foulest skin. 



Dry remedies for lice and ticks : — 



Break up the lumps of some white precipitate, then with a hard brush rub it 

 well into the roots of the hair over the whole body. Get rid of the superfluous 

 powder from the external surface of the coat by means of light brushing or rub- 

 bing with a cloth. Put a muzzle on, and leave the dog with the powder in the 

 coat for five or six hours. Then brush all well out, reversing the hair for this 



