Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-07
HARVEST DISEASE
NOW DuE-To ARRIVE
United States Public Health
Service Explains It's Nature

AVuOuSu u OTleA uuAossoH' 1hC hoA
vest disease. as it is commonly known
is one Of the most annoying and
troublesome complaints of the sum-
mer season. 1t IL of frequent occur
renee. seldom recognized, and widely
disseminated. The disease is general
ly ascribed to errors of diet. over ex-
ertion or poisoning, and but few Of
the afflicted are aware that the cause
Of their suffering is minute six
legged insect.
The bigger" "chigger." or harvest
mite, which occasions this vexatious
summer eruption belongs to the mite
family. This in itself is sufficient to
cause some doubt In the minds of the
enlightened, inasmuch as several 9TH
er members Of the family have gained
fame through misbehavior. The itch
mite is notorious example, 1t 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 ap-
parently loves the freedom of the
woods and open fields. attaching it.
self to leaves and grasses and utter
ly ignoring all human intruders. The
young are Matched in July and August
and appear from the eggs as minute
orange-red larvae. For some mex
plicable reason they show a consid-
cradle prediction for human society,
willingly forsaking their natural habi-
tat for the uncertainties Of life with
man. When lodged upon the skin
they Immediately select favorable
site and rapidly begin to penetrate
the outer layers by burrowing. The
trouble begins at this stage. The ir-
ritation, at first mild, becomes intense
as the burrowing proceeds and is ac-
eompanied by redness. swelling and
Inflammation. Frequently the erup-
ton resembles that of hives or even
eczema and the itching is so severe
that LESSONS due to violent scratching
may ensue. The irritation may be
confined to particular portions Of the
body or become widespread. Depend
ing 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 I'M
comfortableness is such as to demand
remedial measures. Just why the lar
vac exhibit burrowing proclivities in
this manner is unknown: their action
is apparently without reason as they
invariably perish within a few days
after commencing their nefarious at
tack. Their demise is most welcome
to the sufferer. AS with other para
site diseases, the susceptibility of in
dividuals varies considerably, some
persons not suffering even when thor
| oughly exposed.
Early treatment of jigger rash or
trombidiosis, as it is known, is es-
sential. If the condition is recognized
at it's onset the sufferer can; almost
invariably point with eXactness to the
burrowing sites and frequently the
disappearing eXtremities of the in
truders may be observed. A needle.
sterilized by boiling, may be used to
pluck the invaders from their dermal
intrenchments, and even if the search
proves unsuccessful, the counter-irri-
tation produced by the instrument is
pleasurable, and affords great enjoy
ment to the afflicted. If the swelling
or oedema of the skin is considerable
or If the LESSONS are not recent, search
will prove futile as the larvae are al
ready 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 preparations are prescribed by
physicians not only to kill the mites
but to reduce the irritation and re-
lieve the itching. Bathing directly
after exposure is advisable in order to
drown the parasites. The best treat
ment is, however, the avoidance OF
the haunts of the tormentors.