48 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



These lice cause severe itching, followed by reddish inflamed 

 spots, and if the infestation is not checked, more serious results 

 may follow. Infestations have been contracted by using public 

 water-closets. Unclean lodging houses and public bathtubs are 

 also agents in the dissemination of this pest. 



Repeated applications of mercurial ointment is the most satis- 

 factory method of controlling this louse. This is a dangerous 

 poison and it should be used with discretion. Vaseline mixed with 

 yellow precipitate i to 50 is advised for the eyebrows and eye- 

 lashes.*^ 



Mites and Rash 



There are several species of mites which are known to produce 

 uncomfortable and sometimes serious irritation, generally diagnosed 

 as rash. 



The harvest mites, or chiggers, are mostly southern, occurring 

 in the Gulf States northward to New Jersey and Ilhnois, and 

 similar species are found in several European countries. The 

 trouble is caused by microscopic, immature Trombidium. These 

 young mites occur upon vegetation of different kinds, usually in 

 shady situations, and are most likely to attack in the vicinity of 

 the ankles, though they sometimes drop from trees and shrubbery 

 and establish themselves on the neck or other parts of the body. 

 The young mites burrow into the human skin and appear as small 

 red spots which later become surrounded by a con jested area which 

 may be from less than one-fourth to one-half or three-fourths of 

 an inch in diameter. 



Prompt bathing, if exposure is suspected, may prevent the mites 

 establishing themselves. AppHcations of hot water containing salt 

 or strong soap are advised, and where exposure is unavoidable, 

 flowers of sulphur rubbed over the legs and ankles is most satis- 

 factory. Alkaline solutions counteract the acid poison. The 

 destruction of mites in a field may be partly accomplished by 

 cutting all useless grass, by close pasturing, dusting with flowers 

 of sulphur or spraying with a dilute kerosene emulsion, much 

 depending upon conditions.*^ 



The other mite infection is closely associated with wheat straw 

 infested by joint worm, or grain affected by the Angoumois moth. 

 The mite,^° like the preceding, is microscopic in size, and when 



48 Renault. Paris Aled., 5 :2o6-i2. 1915. 



49 Chittenden. U. S. Dep't Agr. Farm. Bui. 671. 1915. 

 ^^Pediculoides ventricosus Newp. 



