LICE WHICH AFFECT DOMESTIC ANIMALS 343 



ifowl, there is absolutely no reason why lice should not be completely eradi- 

 cated from a flock. Of course to accomplish this every bird must be 

 treated at about the same time. All that is necessary to maintain a 

 louse-free condition is not to allow infested fowls to come in contact with 

 the clean flock. 



It has been found that a thorough application of flowers of sulphur 

 will destroy all lice, but since a much larger amount is necessary the 

 expense of treatment is greater than when sodium fluoride is used and 

 there are also said to be some deleterious effects from the free use of 

 sulphur although this has not been observed by the writer. Mercurial 

 ointment or blue ointment is extensively used against lice. If applied as 

 generally recommended it will not accomplish the complete destruction of 

 the lice present and repeated applications are necessary to keep them 

 in check, which would be expensive. There is also some danger of pro- 

 ducing mercurial poisoning by the free use of this material. The so- 

 called "Cornell Powder," consisting of a mixture of carbolic acid, gaso- 

 line and plaster of Paris, is quite eff'ective, but as the eggs of the lice are 

 not destroyed two or more applications are necessary to accomplish what 

 can be done- with one application of sodium fluoride and the trouble of 

 mixing the material is considerable. 



For the treatment of pigeons it is advisable to dip them individually 

 in sodium fluoride solution made as above described but with the addition 

 of one ounce of laundry soap to each gallon of water in order to increase 

 the wetting power. The squabs must also be treated. 



Turkeys may be treated precisely as are chickens, either by the pinch 

 or dipping methods. The large birds should receive about eighteen 

 pinches of powder and of course a large tub is necessary for proper 

 dipping. 



It is recommended for exterminating lice from a flock, that the treat- 

 ment be given if convenient in the late summer after the young chickens 

 have matured and the flock has been culled and reduced to a minimum. 

 Of course if lice are present there is no objection to treating at any time 

 during the year and the quicker the treatment can be given the better. 

 As poultrymen generally recommend hatching of chicks early in the 

 spring this tends to reduce the loss from lice and other poultry parasites, 

 but of course this should not be depended upon when so simple a method 

 as the sodium fluoride treatment is available. 



lilCE INFESTING EABBITS, CATS AND DOGS 



Domestic rabbits are not infrequently infested with an elongate, blue 

 sucking louse. They seem occasionally to become sufficiently numerous, 

 especially on young rabbits, to retard growth and reduce vitality. The 



