REMEDIES FOR FLEAS 9 1 



How to make the Solution. — Commercial creolin may be 

 bought at any drug store as a blackish brown liquid, costing 

 about 25 cents a pint. When this is mixed with water it 

 forms a milky white solution. 



The proper mixture can be made by means of a graduated 

 glass cylinder. Where this is not available a 3 per cent, mix- 

 ture can be made by adding 4 teaspoonfuls to a quart of water 

 or 4 tablespoonfuls to a gallon of water. A 2 per cent, 

 solution may be made by adding 2 teaspoonfuls to a quart of 

 water or 2 tablespoonfuls to a gallon. Shake well and the 

 mixture is ready for use. 



How to Wash. — This operation may be performed by pre- 

 paring a small quantity of the liquid and applying it to the 

 animal with the hands or brush, or a quantity sufficient to 

 completely submerge the patient. Submerging is the easiest 

 way and should continue five minutes so that the fur is thor- 

 oughly saturated. After the removal of the animal no more 

 attention is required than if the animal were submerged in 

 clear water. This wash will kill all the fleas on the animal. 



Creolin is not poisonous but the solutions need not be used 

 stronger than here recommended. It should never be used 

 pure internally. 



A thorough wash not only destroys the fleas but other ver- 

 min, that may be infesting the skin, as well. It cleans the fur, 

 making it soft and smooth, and heals up the small irritations 

 in the skin that occur on flea-infested animals. 



The writer has used creolin in many cases as a deodorizer. 

 Dogs and cats returning from filthy localities, carrying in 

 their fur putrid odors, when washed in one or two per cent, 

 creolin, are rendered inoffensive. It was found verv effective 

 when applied to a dog that had killed a skunk. The odor of 

 creolin is a very clean one and is disagreeable to few people. 



Unless the fleas are removed from houses the wash must be 

 repeated occasionally as the intruders will soon find a breed- 

 ing place in the soft fur. The measures outlined below are 

 very effective to rid our dwelling-houses of this pest. 



Substitute Rugs for  Carpets. — The situations in which 

 household insect pests are most likely to breed are under car- 

 pets, rugs, and mats ; also under various things piled on the 



