MEDICAL SURVEY OF THE TOWN OF TAYTAY. 237 



upon with abhorrence by the Filipinos and ever}' means is employed for 

 i-idding the heads of those infested. The commonest method is that of 

 individual removal, the hair, after a bath and a treatment with coconut 

 oil, being examined carefully and both adult insects and eggs taken off 

 and killed. The head louse was found in the usual degree of abundance 

 in Taytay, the eggs being observed on the heads of girls on the street and 

 occasionally on women who came to the hospital; and the usual process 

 of removal was noted in the windows or doors of dwellings. 



Phthirius inguinalis Leach appears to be unknown, in Taytay, as 

 frequent inquiry as to its presence or knowledge of it invariably elicited 

 a negative reply. This seems equally true of Pediculus vestiincnti L. 



FLEAS. 



A single species of tlea was observed in Taytay. Specimens were 

 taken from dogs and proved to l)e Pulex serraticeps Gerv. It is quite 

 evident from the general appearance of the canines of this town that 

 their lives are made miserable by the abundance of fleas which they 

 harbor. Undoubtedly fleas from dogs cause some annoyance to the 

 people and may prove a menace, but as long as dogs, half starved and 

 ill-treated, form such a large factor in the community life of the Fili- 

 pino, so long will the hope of a lessening of this menace be out of the 

 question. 



DOG TICKS. 



(De-nnacentor sp.) One or two of the dogs I examined closely were 

 found harboring a few female individuals of Dermaccntor sp., and from 

 my experience with this species in other parts of the Philippines, I am led 

 to believe that it is no less abundant in Taytay than elsewhere. From the 

 fact^ that dogs live in the most intimate relation with man in these Islands 

 and the habit possessed by these ticks, especially the males, of dropping 

 off and migrating aro^ind habitations, they must certainly prove at least 

 an annoyance to the human inhabitants. The nymphs also, of both 

 sexes, before they attach themselves to canines, must occasionally attack 

 the people of the house. 



CAKABAO LICE. 



(Hcematopiniis lubcrcnlaius Nitzseh.) Wherever the caral)ao is found 

 in the Philippines the carabao louse may be found also. The few caral)ao 

 examined in Taytay yielded their quota of this pest. The eggs as well as 

 individuals in all stages of gTowth, may be taken from under the jaws, 

 along the ventral and lateral surfaces of the neck and not infvetpiently in 

 the ears. In jnany parts of the Islands they occur in great numbers and 

 often cause soi'es upon the animal, from their bites and the efforts of the 

 (•aral>ao to scratcli tlie irritated part bv nil^hing against stones, trees, etc. 



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