DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 455 



The chigoe {Pulex penetrans) of the Gulf coast is still more injuri- 

 ous, because it burrows under the surface and deposits its eggs to be 

 hatched out slowly with much irritation. The tumor formed by it 

 should be laid open and the parasite extracted. If it bursts so that 

 its eggs escape into the wound, they may be destroyed by introduc- 

 ing a wire at a red heat. 



LICE, OR PEDICULI. 



Two kinds of lice attack the horse, one of which is furnished with 

 narrow head and a proboscis for perforating the skin and sucking the 

 blood, and the other — the broad-headed kind — with strong mandibles, 

 by which it bites the skin only. Of the bloodsuckers, one is common 

 to horse and ass and another to horse and ox, while of the nonsucking 

 lice one species attacks horse and ox and a second ox and ass. The 

 poor condition, itching, and loss of hair should lead to suspicion, and 

 a close examination wall detect the lice. They may be destroyed by 

 rubbing the victim with sulphur ointment, or with sulphuret of potas- 

 sium 4 ounces, water 1 gallon, or with tar water, or the skin may be 

 sponged with benzine. The application should be repeated a week 

 later to destroy all lice hatched from the nits in the interval. Build- 

 ings, clothes, etc., should be treated as for fleas. 



TARANTULA AND SCORPION. 



The bite of the first and the sting of the second are poisonous, and 

 ma}^ be treated like other insect venom, by carbolated glycerin, or a 

 strong solution of ammonia, or permanganate of potash. 



SNAKE BITES. 



These are marked by the double incision caused by the two fangs, 

 by the excessive doughy (dark red) swelling around the wounds, and 

 in bad cases by the general symptoms of giddiness, weakness, and 

 prostration. They are best treated by enormous doses of alcohol, 

 whisky, or brandy, or by aqua ammonia very largely diluted in water, 

 the object being to sustain life until the poison shall have spent its 

 power. As local treatment, if the w^ound is in a limb, the latter may 

 have a handkerchief or cord tied around it above the injuiy and 

 drawn tight by a stick twisted into it. In this way absorption may be 

 checked until the poison can be destroyed by the application of a hot 

 iron or a piece of nitrate of silver or other caustic. A poultice of 

 tobacco leaves is a favorite remedy, and may be used to soothe the 

 sore after cauterization. 



BURNS AND SCALDS. 



For scalds the surface may be bathed with a solution of bicarbonate 

 of soda, sweetened or not by carbolic acid, or a weak solution of sugar 



