U. H. F. Nutt all 
531 
the parasitized parts (Nysten and many others recommend it). 
Renault advises its application to the pubic and axillary regions 
only, washing it oft after 2 hrs and repeating the treatment daily 
for a week. It should he lightly applied to the skin for corporis 
(Nysten) or smeared on the scrotum, about the anus and perinaeum 
of soldiers whose pubic and axillary and head hair has been shaved, 
to guard against lice generally (Boral). It may be applied to the 
head for capitis in adults but it is often found too irritating 
(Dubreuilh and Beille). Smearing the seams of clothing with it has 
been found “of some use” against corporis (Meltzer). 
The following are other methods of applying metallic mercury 
as a remedy against lice: (a) by wearing it in a sack worn near the 
body in the form of a “Merkolinschurz” (proprietary?) as de¬ 
scribed by Blaschko, there being no evidence that this method is 
of any use in practice whilst several authors condemn it. ( b ) E. R. 
Hues states that the Chinese mix a \ oz. of mercury with masticated 
and ground tea-leaves 1 , this being used to impregnate a loosely 
twisted cotton string which is worn about the neck and renewed 
once a month, the mercury being “a prompt and specific remedy 
against lice” (cit. Shipley), (c) Mercury incorporated with a plant 
paste applied to a string and worn about the neck or wrists is 
stated by Agronom to be used by the Sarts, although it is equally 
effective when mixed with any fat (cit. Shipley), (d) This probably 
originated the “Asiatic Body Cord” sold by a firm in this country; 
the loosely woven cord holds together a tallow-like substance 
having the colour of blue ointment and in which I detected globules 
of mercury: 
“Somerville’s Asiatic Body Cord or Trench Plague Remedy,” sold at Is. 
each and marked “Poison.” The box bears printed statements that the 
remedy “completely exterminates lice or body vermin and prevents their 
lodging on the person or clothing,” that it is “approved by the medical pro¬ 
fession and is the original and only genuine cord,” that it “does its work 
quickly and thoroughly” and is “our soldiers’ best friend in the trenches.” It 
is “simply worn round the waist next the skin.” 
Objections to mercury. Numerous cases of mercurial poisoning 
have followed the use of blue ointment and the dangers have 
repeatedly been pointed out (James, 1743, to Fasal, 1915!) and it 
seems about time that the method should be abandoned. That 
mercury, corrosive sublimate, and even calomel may produce 
1 See p. 516 where saliva and Hg. etc. are recommended, a.d. 1460-70. 
