ARACHNIDA. 269 
- The only treatment for this species worthy of recognition is that of | 
dipping, and this, if properly done, will secure the extermination of 
the pest, and a flock once freed will not become again infected except 
= by exposure to infected animals or by the introduction of scabby 
individuals. . 
| ~ So important is this parasite deemed that many of the States have 
a adopted stringent laws for the quarantine of infected animals and for 
prescribing dips that must be used. A summary of these regulations 
~ and the formule for the various dips will be found in Curtice’s Animal 
Parasites of Sheep, which should be in the hands of all sheep owners. 
The particular kind of dip is of less importance than the thorough 
use of the one selected. The tobacco dips, sulphur and lime dips, and 
also several of the patent dips prepared by reputable firms, can be 
— recommended. The main objection to the latter, perhaps, is the fact 
that the user must pay arather exorbitant price for a few simple chem- 
icals, and further, in the case of the arsenical dips, that he may not 
know the ingredients or their proportions and thereby endanger the 
animals treated. (See details of dipping in chapter on remedies.) 
“ae 
THE ItcH MITE. 
(Sarcoptes scabiei Latr. ) 
The itch mite of man is perhaps becoming a pretty rare pest in civil- 
ized communities, but since it occurs at times on domestic animals, and 
in certain varieties becomes at times a serious pest to such animals, it 
deserves treatment here. Authors have differed greatly in their treat- 
Fia. 160.—Sarcoptes scatiei: male and female (reduced from Furstenberg, after Murray). 
ment of the species, some making a different species for each host 
animal, believing that they could find distinetive characters in the 
size, arrangement of spines, etc., but Railliet, who has published the 
latest full discussion of the species, has combined most of these under 
the one species scabiei, though in some cases retaining the varietal 
distinction for various hosts. | 
