882 
Pathological effects of PlitliiriiB 
Apart from the maculae, Phthirus, like P. liumanus, fleas and mos¬ 
quitoes, may cause a febrile condition owing to skin irritation, although 
this appears to be rare; with the removal of the lice, the fever promptly 
subsides. Papular eruptions and eczematous inflammation may super¬ 
vene upon the presence of the louse, but they appear to be largely due 
to the added insult of scratching the infested skin. The melanism is of 
non-speciflc origin, being due to continued scratching which leads to 
hyperaemia, pigmentation and desquamation. The lesions induced 
thereby may lead to secondary skin infection with pyogenic bacteria. 
REFERENCES. 
See Bibliography, pp. 4—42, and supplementary Bibliography to follow. 
