196 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
Lice on the head or body can be destroyed by using white precipitate 
ointment, mercurial ointment, or carbolic oil. Care must be used in 
applying strong ointments; at first they should be used sparingly and 
well diluted with oil or vaseline. Much time will be saved by shaving 
off or cutting short the hair. The whole body should be frequently 
washed with carbolic soa^> and hot water. Clothing should be boiled or 
destroyed. 
JRingivorm of the head is a disease due to a fungus. The part for 
some distance round the affected area should be shaved, and any stumps 
of hairs pulled out. The skin should be lightly painted with tincture 
of iodine or strong solution of carbolic acid (one in ten of water); or 
sulphur, white precipitate, or mercurial ointment may be gently 
rubbed in. 
Dhobie itch .—This complaint, which is very common in the tropics, 
attacks the groins and the upper part of the thighs, and it is frequently 
found in the armpits. It is due to a fungus similar to that of ringworm, 
and is aggravated by free sweating and the rubbing together of adjacent 
parts of the body. The parts actually affected will be seen to be slightly 
raised and “ scurfy” and somewhat reddened. It causes great itching, 
and at times, on account of the irritated skin being inflamed, much pain 
is associated with it. 
Treatment .—When the parts are inflamed they should be soothed by 
the application of Goulard water or Wright’s liquor car bonis detergens 
(one tablespoonful to two pints of water), zinc ointment, starch, or 
zinc dusting powder. Inflamed surfaces should be kept apart by 
means of a piece of lint smeared with zinc ointment placed between them. 
A few days’ complete rest, in cool linen clothing, will give great relief. 
When the inflammation has subsided, the affected parts can be rubbed 
with ichthyol ointment, araroba ointment, white precipitate ointment, 
or sulphur ointment. Such remedies as tincture of iodine, araroba 
powder or white precipitate ointment should be used at first very 
sparingly, otherwise they are liable to cause pain and inflammation. 
Scabies , or itch, is due to an animal parasite, the female of which 
burrows into the skin to lay her eggs. The disease is commonest 
between the fingers, but it may spread up the arms to the body, and 
down the legs. The parasite causes an eruption and produces very great 
itching, especially at night. 
