FLEAS, LICE AND FLIES. 399 
The bedding is even more unfriendly to the pests when naphtha or kerosene 
oil has been freely sprinkled over it. 
Not only are the fumes of such petroleum products highly offensive to fleas, 
but actual contact with those fluids is fatal. They are not, however, destruc- 
tive to the ova or eggs. 
When a kennel has become infested, a thorough cleaning is first in order, 
all rubbish, bedding, sawdust, etc., being removed. That accomplished, 
unless there is serious objection to kerosene oil or naphtha on account of its 
staining, one of them should be used, with free hand, on every part within. 
The oil chosen should also be sprinkled about the floor if of wood or cement, 
or if of bare earth, it will be advisable to cover it with a layer composed of 
ashes or coal dust and loam, which has been well dampened with the oil in 
use. And besides rendering the floor objectionable to the pests, the oil will 
keep the dust well laid for a long time. 
Notwithstanding all that may be said of the persistency, wide prevalence, 
etc., of fleas, in truth owners and caretakers are largely responsible for them, 
and were the kennels kept clean, whitewashed often, and the inmates well 
groomed once each day, and washed occasionally with suitable soap, these pests 
would but rarely intrude, and not remain long when they did so. 
Among the applications for their removal from dogs whale oil is one of the 
most effectual, but it is far from being a pleasant remedy. When used it 
should be thoroughly rubbed into the hair of the subject, from tip to tip, and 
allowed to remain on four or five hours, or longer, during which time he should 
be kept in a warm room, because of the great danger of taking cold while 
under such treatment. Then, soft soap being employed, he should be carefully 
washed and dried, and encouraged to take a sharp run. 
Crude coal oil, either alone or mixed with equal parts of linseed or other 
oil, may be used in the same way. Kerosene oil is quite a popular remedy, 
and can be safely applied by means of a fine comb, and thus conveyed to all 
parts of the coat without any considerable quantity reaching the skin; which 
it is liable to irritate. 
Among the soaps on the market are some reputed to be made of whale oil, 
and washing with them seems to be followed by quite as good results as by 
the application of either of these oils. Strong carbolic soap is also quite 
efficacious. 
Naphtha as a local application is of high repute with many. It is applied 
with a brush, every part of the coat being lightly painted. 
The common commercial benzin is an agent of far greater value in medi- 
cine than is generally appreciated. There are but few fluids which ‘strike in ” 
so deeply, therefore it is especially useful in diseases of the hair in which the 
roots are involved. It is speedily destructive to fleas and other external para- 
sites. Furthermore, it is not irritating, and is perfectly safe for external use. 
