Treatment of Mosquito Bites.—To prevent mosquitoes, fleas, lice, horseflies, etc., from biting, it is necessary merely to dip the clean hands into a pail of water in which, while hot, one ounce of pure carbolic acid was dissolved, and while they are thus wet rub the solution over all the exposed skin and allow it to dry naturally. A mixture of kerosene (petroleum) and water used in the same way will also afford protection. All poisons introduced into the body by insects are of an acid nature, and to this quality are due the pain and irritation which it is our object to overcome. The best remedy, naturally, is an alkali of some sort. Water of ammonia, diluted, or a strong solution of saleratus or baking soda in water, are the two most successful remedies to apply, either through bathing, or on cloths saturated in one of the solutions. Clean clay, mixed with water to make a mud poultice, is a useful application in emergencies.
BEE, WASP, AND HORNET STINGS.—The pain and swelling are produced by the poison of the insect which leaves the poison bag at the base of the barb at the instant that the person is stung. The bee stings but once, as the sting being barbed is broken off, and is retained in the flesh of the victim. The sting of the wasp and hornet is merely pointed, and is not lost during the stinging process so that they can repeat the act. Bee keepers, after being stung a number of times, usually become immune, i. e., they are no longer poisoned by bites of these insects.
It is well to extract the sting of bees before all of the poison has come away. A fine pair of forceps is useful for this purpose; or, by pressing the hollow tube of a small key directly down over the puncture made by the sting, it may be squeezed out.
Ammonia water, as recommended for mosquitoes, is the best remedy to relieve the pain.
WOOD TICKS.—Ticks inhabit the woods and bushes throughout the temperate zone, and at certain periods during the summer season attack passing men and animals.
The common tick is nearly circular in shape, very flat, with a dark, brown, horny body about one-sixteenth to one-eighth inch in diameter. Each of its eight legs possesses two claws, and the proboscis incloses feelers which are similarly armed. The beetle plunges its barbed proboscis into the flesh of man or animals, and holds on very firmly with its other members till it is gorged with blood, growing as large as a good-sized bean, when it drops off. The bite is painless, and it is not until the insect is engorged with blood that it is perceptible; if, however, attempts are made to remove the tick before it is ready to let go, the proboscis may be torn off and left in the skin, when painful local suppuration will follow.
Treatment.—As the presence of tick is far from agreeable, the insect may often be removed by painting it with turpentine, which either kills it or causes the claws to be relaxed; in either case the tick loosens its hold and drops to the ground. A tropical variety, carapato, buries the whole head in the flesh of its host before it is perceived, and if turpentine does not loosen its hold, the head must be dug out with a clean needle or knife blade.
LICE (Pediculi).—Head lice are most common. They are gray with black margins, about one-twenty-fifth to one-twelfth inch long, and wingless. The color changes with the host, as the lice are black on the negro, and white in the case of the Eskimos. The female lays fifty to sixty eggs ("nits"), seen as minute, white specks glued to the side of a hair; usually not more than one or two on a single hair. The eggs hatch in six days.
The irritation produced by the presence of the parasites on the head leads to general itching, more particularly on the lower part of the back of the head. The constant scratching starts an inflammation of the skin with the formation of pimples, weeping spots, and crusts, from the dried discharge, possessing a bad odor. The denuded spots becoming infected, the neighboring glands enlarge and are felt as tender lumps beneath the skin at the back of the neck, under the jaw, or at either side of the neck. Whenever there are persistent itching and irritation of the scalp, particularly at the back of the head, lice or "nits" should be sought for. Sometimes it is more easy to find them on a fine-tooth comb passed through the hair. Lice are very common in dirty households, and are occasionally seen on the most fastidious persons, who accidentally acquire them in public places or conveyances.
Treatment.—The hair should be cut short when permissible. Any crusts on the head should be softened by the application of sweet oil, and then removed by washing in soap and warm water. Petroleum or kerosene is a good remedy. It must be rubbed on the head two successive nights, the head being covered by a cap, and washed off each morning with hot water and soap. The patient must be cautioned not to approach an open flame after kerosene has been put on his head.