( 12^8 ) 
thro the fmall apertures of the Cutis, little watery Blid' 
ckrs are nmde^within which the Infcfts continuing to Gnaw,, 
the infcfted are forced to fcratch, and by fcratching increafe 
tlie Mifcbief, and thus renew the troublefom work, breaking 
not only the little Piiftules, but the Skin too, and fome litr 
tie Blood Veflels, and (o making Scabs^ Crufty Sores, and 
fuch like filthy Symptoms. 
From hence we come to underftand how the Itch proves 
to be a'Diftemperfo very catching 5 fince thefe Creatures 
by firapk contaft can eafily pafs from one body to another, 
their motion being wondertully fwift, and they as well 
crawling upon the furface of the Body as under the G///- 
culdy being very apt to (tick to every thing that touches cm, 
and a very fe-w of them being once lodged, they multiply 
apace by the Eggs which they Jay. 
Neither is it any wonder if this infeftion be propagated 
by the means of Sheets, Towels, Handkerchiefs, Gloves, 
&c. ufed by Itchy perfons 3 it being eafy enough for fome 
of thefe Creepers to be lodged in fuch things as thofe^ and 
indeed I haveobferved that they will live out ot the Body 
2 or 3 daySo 
Nor in the laft place fhall we be at a lofs to know the 
rcafon of the cure of this Malady by Lixivial Waftics, Baths, 
and Oinmicnts made up with Salts, Sulphurs, Vitriols, Mer 
cury's. Simple, Prsecipitate or Sublimate, and fuch fort of 
corrofive and penetrating Medicines. Thefe being infallibly 
powerful to kill the Vermin lodged in the Cavities of the 
Skin 5 which fcratching will never do, partly by reafon of 
their hardnefs, and partly bccaufe they are fo minute as. 
fcarccly to be found by the Nails. ' 
Neither do inward Medicines perform any real fervice in 
this Cafe, it being always neceffary after a tedious ufe of 
thefe to have recourfe to thofe external ones already menti- 
oned. And if in Praftice we oftentimes Experience, that 
this Difeafe, when we think it is quite cured by Unftion^ 
does neverthelefs in a (hort time return again, this is not 
ftrange 
