HEXAPODE DERMATOSES 



2203 



or the suprarenal form of malaria, but may be recognized by the 

 finding of the lice, the non-diminution of the muscular power, 

 and by the presence of the pruritus. From scabies it may be dis- 

 tinguished by the lack of lesions on the hands and wrists, and the 

 absence of the sarcoptes. 



Treatment. — Pediculosis capitis maybe treated by soaking the hair 

 with petroleum (care being taken not to approach a light), followed 

 by a good wash with soap and water, the whole process being re- 

 peated in twenty-four hours. Another method is to sponge the 

 hair little by little with carbolic acid (i in 40), or soak long hair in 

 carbolic lotion (i in 80) followed by a good wash with soap and water, 

 and later by a lotion of acetic acid (25 per cent.), used to loosen the 

 eggs, which are then removed by the use of a small-toothed comb. 



Another method of killing the parasites is by dabbing the hair with 

 xylol, remembering, however, the danger of fire with this inflam- 

 mable substance. 



Impetigo contagiosa may be treated by an ointment composed 

 of ammoniated mercury (5 grains) and lard (i ounce), and in 

 children the hair may be cut and this ointment may be applied. 



Pediculosis corporis. — The clothing and the bedding must be 

 disinfected by steaming or boihng, and the patient must have 

 several large baths, with free use of soap and water, as well as a 

 soothing calamine lotion (40 grains calamine to i ounce of water) 

 for application to the irritated skin. Lice destruction is^ more 

 fully detailed on pp. 1338, 1339. 



It is important to remember that the eggs of P. corporis are often 

 attached to the lanugo hairs. Merely cleaning the clothing is often 

 useless. Rub or spray the whole body with paraffin and take a 

 warm bath. 



Martini recommends a depilatory consisting of strontium sulphate 2 parts, 

 zinc oxide i part, talc i part. This is mixed with a little water and applied 

 as a paste for ten minutes, when it is removed and some olive oil used to 

 soothe the irritation. 



Pediculosis pubis. — A white precipitate ointment (5 to 10 per 

 cent.) or an ointment of oleate of mercury (5 per cent., 6 drachms) 

 with ether (2 drachms) will kill parasites and ova, after which cala- 

 mine lotion may be applied to allay the irritation. 



Clinocorosis. 



Bugs produce wheals, with central red spots surrounded by zones of hyper- 

 aemia. A solution of menthol (5 grains m i ounce of rectified spirits) will 

 relieve the irritation; or, if the area has been scratched, the application of 

 a lotion of carbolic acid (i in 40) is preferable. As regards prophylaxis, see 

 P- 765. 



Siphonapteriasis. 



Flea-bites are characterized by small red papules with dark red centres, 

 and are to be distinguished from the maculo-papules of enteric fever, which 

 disappear on pressure. The linen of a person probably suffering from flea- 

 bites should be inspected for the brown faecal marks made by the fleas. For 

 further details, see pp. 857 and 908. To keep these pests away, some powdered 

 camphor may be used. 



