DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 483 



ointment, or with sulphuret of potassium 4 ounces, water 1 gallon, or 

 with tar water, or the skin may be sponged with benzine. The appli- 

 cation should be repeated a week later to destroy all lice hatched 

 from the nits in the interval. Buildings, clothes, etc., should be 

 treated as for fleas. 



STINGS OF BEES, WASPS, AND HORNETS. 



These are much more irritating than the bites of flies, partly 

 because the barbed sting is left in the wound and partly because 

 of the quantity and quality of the venom. When a swarm attacks 

 an animal the result may prove fatal. 



Treatment consists in the application of wet clay, or of a lotion of 

 soda or ammonia, or of carbolic acid, or permanganate of potash, 

 2 grains to the ounce ; or of sugar of lead 2 drams, laudanum 1 ounce, 

 and water 1 pint. The embedded stings should be extracted with 

 fine forceps or even with the finger nails. 



TARANTULA AND SCORPION. 



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

 may 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 wound is in a limb, the latter may 

 have a handkerchief or cord tied around it above the injury 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. 



A treatment which has been highly recommended consists in 

 prompt and vigorous scarification at the site of puncture and rubbing 

 crystals of potassium permanganate into the wound. 



BURNS AND SCALDS. 



These subjects are discussed in the following chapter. 



WOUNDS OF THE SKIN. 

 Wounds of the skin are fully discussed in the next chapter. 



