520 
Combating Lousiness 
Ref. 
No. 
vinegar is said to be an advantage. The use of vinegar for lice is 
mentioned by Pliny and subsequent writers (see p. 516) and is fre¬ 
quently referred to in tbe following pages in connection with the 
treatment for bead-lice. 
Busson states that corporis recover after a short exposure to it 
and that it is useless in practice, this being untrue from what is 
stated above. Expts 110-113: lice are killed by 5-6 hrs but nits 
resist 5 days’ exposure to the vapour. Expts 250-1: lice survived 
exposure to the vapour of 50 % solution for 24 hrs near the body. 
365. Acetylene gas, tested on corporis, is valueless as an insecticide 
(Zucker). 
366. Alcohol, absolute, or strong spirit, for capitis, corporis and pubis. 
Alcohol is given as a remedy for lice in the Book of Quinte 
Essence (1460-1470). 
For pubis: strongly recommended as cheap, simple and effective. 
The infested person should not be allowed to bathe just before 
treatment as water dilutes the alcohol and the skin smarts. It is 
best in any case to rub dry the naturally moist skin beforehand. 
Spray the alcohol upon the infested region at a distance of ca. 
25 cm. and fan the part until the alcohol has evaporated; spray 
again after 5 minutes and repeat the process a third time in bad 
cases. The dead lice are now removed readily and the pruritus 
stops. Give a warm bath. The clothes (shirt and fork of trousers) 
should be similarly sprayed, but more plentifully; they should not 
be used for 8-14 days. The lethal effect is apparently due to 
dehydration as lice may live 5-10' in alcohol (Oppenheim). For 
after treatment in case of skin irritation see p. 519. 
Eau de Cologne is recommended by Moniez. 
For capitis Oppenheim recommends the same treatment as that 
above described. 
See also Nos. 449, 474, etc., where it is used as an adjunct or 
vehicle. 
367. Ammonia, for corporis. 
Reports as to its usefulness are contradictory. Frankel states 
that it is a good cheap remedy; when strong it kills nits and lice 
on clothes and bed linen enclosed in a box or bag; he advises a 
strength of 10-25 %, adding that it is too expensive for use in the 
present war. Ragg recommends it for killing lice but states that 
it tarnishes metal buttons, and, when sprayed, irritates the lungs 
