Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-31
HARVEST DISEASE DUE.
y. S. Public Health Service Explains
It's Nature,

It's Nature.
Washington. July 31.-Altho of brief
duration, the harvest disease, as 1t is
commonly known, is one of the most
annoying and troublesome complains Of
! the summer season. 1t Is Of frequent
occurrence. seldom recognized. and
| widely disseminated The disease is
generally ascribed to errors OF diet.
| over-exertion of poisoning. and but
few of the afflicted are aware that the
cause of their suffering is a minute
six-legged insect.
The bigger" "chigger," or harvest
mite. which occasions this vexatious
summer eruption. belong to the mite
family. This In itself is sufficient to
cause some doubt in the minds of the
enlightened inasmuch as several other
members of the family have gained
fame thru misbehavior The itch mite
is notorious example. It has been
with us since history began and still
afflicts the human race. The straw
mite. only recently discovered. is also
acquiring somewhat OF a reputation.
The adult jigger is harmless. 1t APP
parently loves the freedom of the
woods and open fields, attaching itself
to leaves and grasses and utterly ig-
noring all human intruders. The young
are Matched In July and August and
appear from the eggs as minute or
ange-red larvae. For some inexplica
Bile reason they show a considerable
prediction for human society. willing
ly forsaking their natural habitat for
the uncertainties OF life with man.
When lodged upon the skin they i'm
mediately select a favorable site and
rapidly begin to penetrate the outer
layers by burrowing. The trouble be-
gins at this stage. The irritation. at
first mild. becomes intense as the bur-
rowing proceeds and is accompanied by
redness, swelling and Inflammation.
Frequently the eruption resembles that
Of hives Of even eczema and the itching
is so severe that LESSONS due TO violent
scratching may enEue. The irritation
may be confined to particular portions
Of the body or become widespread. De-
pending upon the number of larvae en-
trenching themselves. the suffering
may be acute. preventing sleep and
even leading to other disturbances.
while at the best the degree OF uncom-
forta bleness is such as to demand rem
edial measures. Just why the larvae
exhibit burrowing proclivities in this
/
parently without reason as they perish
within few days after commencing
their nefarious attack. Their demise
is most welcome to the sufferer AS
with other parasitic diseases. the sus-
ceptibility Of individuals varies consid-
erahly, some persons not suffering even
when thoroughly exposed.
Early treatment of iigger rash or
trombidiosis, as 1t Is known, IS essen
tfal If the condition Is recognized at
it's onset the sufferer can almost In
variahly point with exactness to the
burrowing sites and frequently the dis
appearing extremities of the intruders
may be observed. A needle, sterilized
by boiling may be used to pluck the
invaders from their dermal intrench-
ments. and even II the search proves
unsuccessful. the counter-irritation
produced by the instrument IS pleasur-
a bile, and affords great enjoyment to
the afflicted. If the swelling or oedema
Of the skin is considerable or II the
LESSONS are not recent. search will prove
futile as the larvae are already safely
buried. One can then only hope for
an early termination Of their activities
this usually requiring from five to seven
days. Several extremely useful prep
arations are prescribed by physicians
OF only to kill the mites but to reduce
the irritation and relieve the itching.
Bathing directly after exposure is adj
visable in order to drown the parasites
The best treatment Is. however. the
avoidance OF the haunts Of the tor
mentors.
WHEN HOT WEATHER OPPREssEs.
When you suffer from feeling OF op..
preston. when a naturally keen and
alert brain seems dull and stupid. when
are Inert and languid-do not blame II
altogether on hot weather. The hot
sun viii not effect you half 90 much Il
active and healthy. Foley Cathartic
Tablets are the ideal remedy. for indi-
gestion and consultations; They give