G. H. F. Nuttall 
545 
Kef. 
No. 
wool; no bad effects and but little dermatitis 1 were observed 
(Castellani and Jackson). It was applied once a day with good 
results as a cure and preventive; when the skin became irritated 
the petroleum was mixed with an equal volume of vaseline and 
rubbed on gently with the hands; shaving all the body hair as a 
preliminary measure was found advisable (Barrie). Petroleum, 
applied to the body in conjunction with a weekly hot bath and 
complete change of underclothing was made compulsory on the 
border between the United States and Mexico because of typhus 
with the result that lice were practically eliminated (Cumming). 
Petroleum quickly immobilizes lice, it does not kill them “ almost 
instantly” as Castellani and Jackson assert. Boral notes the 
necessity of shaving the body and finds that petroleum does not 
kill the nits of corporis or pubis. Engelhardt objects to petroleum 
on the ground that it is too volatile, malodorous, and irritating to 
the skin 1 , but believes that it repels lice. 
For pubis, Bapty prefers petrol (see No. 448) as in his experience 
petroleum produces a burning sensation and may even cause the 
skin to peel off over the scrotum and about the fork 1 ; it is necessary 
therefore to wipe away quickly any excess or bathe it off with soap 
and warm water. Petroleum can be applied to clothes that cannot 
be otherwise disinfested. 
Expt 379: body-lice when immersed therein were killed in 1|- 
minutes but nits survived 20 minutes. Expts 218-219: the vapour 
had no effect on nits in 15 minutes; lice were killed in 24 hrs. 
Expt 354: pubis when immersed were immobilized in 5 minutes and 
subsequently died; the vapour had no effect in 15 minutes. 
See also No. 396. 
451. Petroleum and olive oil (1 : 1), for capitis and corporis. 
For capitis, it appears to have given general satisfaction. It is 
useful when many lice are present (Moniez). Dubreuilh and Beille 
state that it is usually employed for school children in France when 
parents are forced to de-louse them. The head is thoroughly oiled at 
night and covered with a bonnet, the hair being well washed next 
morning with soap and tepid water; this treatment is repeated on 
2-3 consecutive nights and it destroys all the insects, nits being after¬ 
wards removed with vinegar and a fine comb. Brumpt recommends 
the same treatment but suggests the use of compresses to the head. 
1 The chemical composition of commercial petroleum varies and idiosyncrasy must be 
taken into account. G. H. F. N. 
