The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-11-09
Parasitic Skin Diseases.

HrIts 4 = Atih foAtA AVhAAAesi'
Gated skin affections frequently found
among school children which. because
of their specially annoying and dis
agreeable features, should be carefully
guarded against. These are scabies
Gtchl, ringworm and pediculosis CAPT
tas (head lice1.
Scabies, or itch, is due TO a minute
animal parasite, which burrows into
the skin and causes intense itching.
The consequent scratching results in
the characteristic eruption, which is
found chiefly between the fingers, on
the front of the wrists, at the bend Of
the elbow, and on the marginal folds of
the armpits, If a child is seen to be
scratching. particularly If there is q
pustular eruption on the hands, he
should be at once examined for itch.
The disease is communicated by on
tact with the child affected or with
anything he has used. Hence IL can be
readily seen how easily itch can spread
in a school or family, unless every
possible precaution is taken. The child
should be excluded from school until
the disease is cured, which need nos be
long, if proper measures are employed
in the home. II is likely that other
members of the family will be affected
and everyone having the disease must
be treated until cured, and the under
clothing, bedding. towels and anything
which has come in contact with the
body of each case must be boiled OF
baked each time they are washed. I'm
less these precautions are taken, a.
constant re infection will be taking
place and the infection will continue
indefinitely.
Ringworm is also a parasitic disease,
easily spread where many children are
gathered together. II begins a. a red
scaly patch, which becomes more or
less circular. clearing up in the center
as it spreads at the margin. When the
disease occurs on the skin il Is much
more amrnablc 10 treatment than
when it attacks the scalp. In the lat.
ter location. ringworm is a rcpulsive
obstinate disease, which causes the
hair TO become brittle and break off,
leaving partially bald. scaly spots on
the head. Though its treatment by X
ray in the hands OF an expert promises
hope of a cure in a short time, this
method is unavailable to the great ma.
jority of children, in whom the disease
may run a tedious course Of six
months or a year. Hence. every moth
er will be particularly anxious that her
child should be protected from this dis
ease. Children with ringworm should
not be allowed to mingle with other
children unless the LESSONS are prop
erly dressed and covered. In ringworm
of the scalp, the patient should wear a
cap for the protection Of others, and
should avoid brushing the hair because
of the danger of scattering the scales.
Pediculosis capitas is the condition
brought about by the invasion of the
scalp by the head louise. Il causes Sc
we're itching. resultant scratching, alb
r~asions and Inflammation of the scalp.
The glands in the neck behind the ear
may become enlarged, especially when
the scratch marks becomes infected
and contain matter tpusl. When a
child is seen scratching the head, the
presence of head lice may be suspected,
and the discovery of nits. small white
objects attached TO the hairs. confirms
the diagnosis. 1t must be insisted that
all children with head lice be free from
the vermin before they are allowed TO
mingle with other children in school.
Most parents are very apNious to rid
their children of this pes, and, when IL
is simply a matter OF a little crude pc.
tToleum, a fine tooth comb wet with
vinegar, and cleanliness Of person and
toilet articles, there Is no excuse Tor
keeping lice. even If ono has accident
ally acquired them.
To rid the child Of head lice IL Is
important not only to Lin the pare
sites themselves. but also to destroy
and remove the nits. which otherwise
will hatch and re infect The scalp. u
ually IL is sufficient 70 thoroughly
moistcn the hair ard the scalp with q
mixture containing equal paris n ker-
.oscne and olive shaken together aud a.
low this Application 10 remain about
u hours. The child- scalp should then
be thoroughly Washed with warm ws-
ter and soap 20 remove all traces Of
oil. After the hair has bccn dried bv
brisk rubbing, IL should b. combcd
thoroughly with q comb moistened in
hot vinegar 10 remove the ni;s
Both ringworm Of the s.alp and head
lice are communicated b. dirrct cont
tact. and by a~rticies used hg the lm
tienf Children should ncvcr sear each
others hats e. csps. ~ hang them on
each Others peg They should use only