420 FLEAS 



in the neighboring islands. It has also been introduced by coolies 

 into India, but does not seem to thrive there as it does in tropical 

 America and Africa. 



The treatment of chigger wounds formerly consisted in the 

 destruction of the fleas while imbedded in the wounds. This was 

 done by applying various insecticides or pricking with a needle, 

 the dead insect being removed after ulceration. A much better 

 method is to enlarge the entrance hole of the flea with a clean 

 needle and remove the parasite entire. The wound should then 

 be carefully dressed and protected until healed. An ointment 

 recommended by Quiros consists of 2J/^ grams salicylic acid and 

 10 grams ichthyol in 10 grams of yellow vaseline. Bathing of 

 infected parts with kerosene oil is also recomrhended. 



Chiggers can be avoided to a large extent by the use of high 

 boots, or shoes and leggings. Walking barefooted in chigger- 

 infested regions is almost sure to result in attacks by these pests. 

 Houses, yards, etc., in chigger regions should be kept carefully 

 clean of dust, dirt and debris which might favor the develop- 

 ment of the parasites. In Central America Quiros recommends, 

 as one of the best preventive measures, a prohibition against 

 driving hogs affected with chiggers through the streets, along 

 with regulations for treating affected hogs where they are raised. 

 According to Penschke, in German East Africa, attacks by chig- 

 gers can be prevented by thoroughly rubbing the feet every two 

 or three days with vaseline to which has been added a few drops 

 of lysol or cresol soap (15 drops to 3| oz. of vaseline). 



Sticktight Flea. — The " sticktight " flea, Echidnophaga galli- 

 nacea (Fig. 186), is another member of the family Sarcopsyllidse 

 which may be a human pest. It is a small dark-colored flea which 

 very commonly attacks chickens in nearly all tropical and sub- 

 tropical countries, including the southern United States in 

 America. Although the normal host is the chicken, other poultry, 

 dogs, cats, domestic rabbits, rats and other animals, as well as 

 man, are attacked. This species gets its name from the tenacity 

 with which it adheres to its host. It is gregarious, collecting in 

 dense masses on the heads of poultry (Fig. 186), in the ears of 

 mammals and in other places. It is not averse to attacking 

 man, especially children, but since it is not so active as other 

 fleas it can easily be found and removed. No disease is known to 

 be transmitted by this flea. 



