Ticks and Mites 



37 



this disgusting disease are barely visible to the 

 naked eye. They are usually very sluggish but 

 become more active when warmed. They live in 

 burrows just beneath the outer layer of skin, 

 sometimes extending deeper and causing most 

 intense itching. As the female burrows, she lays 

 her eggs from which come the young mites that are 

 to spread the infection. Various sulphur ointments 

 and washes are used as remedies. Cleanliness will 

 prevent infection. 



Closely related to the itch-mite of man (Sarcoptes 

 scabiei) are several kinds attacking domestic ani- 

 mals, causing mange, scab, etc. The variety infest- 

 ing horses burrows in the skin and produces sores 

 and scabs, and is a source of very great annoyance. 

 These mites may also migrate to man. Tobacco 

 water and sulphur ointments are used as remedies. 



Horses and cattle are also infested by other 

 mites (Psoroptes communis) which cause the com- 

 mon mange. These do not burrow into the skin 

 but live outside in colonies, feeding on the skin and 

 causing crusts or scabs. The inflammation causes 

 the animal to scratch and rub constantly and often 

 causes the loss of much of the hair. 



Harvest-mites. A score or more of different va- 

 rieties of mites cause many other diseases of do- 

 mestic animals, such as the scab of sheep and hogs 



