212 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



four hours with soft-soap and warm water, and repeat in three 

 days, if necessary. 



Gamgee observes : " The best remedy that I have used for 

 fleas is oil of aniseed in common oil. The dog or cat must be 

 well smeared, and a few hours afterwards is to be washed 

 with soap and water. It is essential to attend to cleanliness, 

 and to destroy all fleas or their larvae wherever dogs are 

 accustomed to sleep, such as in kennels," etc. 



Fresh fine shavings, or sawdust, on which turpentine may 

 be slightly sprinkled, forms a prospective bedding from fleas. 



LICE. 



These insects, though not giving rise to the same amount 

 of irritability as the former, are, nevertheless, troublesome, 

 and perhaps more annoying from, the fact that they are usually 

 an indication of uncleanliness. They are generally found in 

 greater abundance about the back and posterior parts. They 

 are hatched from eggs or nits attached to the hair. The dog- 

 louse produces no irritation on the human skin. 



Treatment. — The white precipitate powder, brushed into 

 the coat, or the ointment rubbed in the skin, and removed in 

 the course of five or six hours, forms the most effectual treat- 

 ment for their destruction and removal. 



TICKS. 



The dog-tick (^Ixodes ricinus) is uncommon compared with 

 the two preceding parasites. The creature causes considerable 

 irritation to its host, and, from feeding on the blood by suc- 

 tion, give rise, where they exist in any number, to debility. 



Treatment. — Forcible removal, and dressing with mercu- 

 , rial preparations. 



