The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-08-23
VAMoosE PEDICUII

The common head louse (Pediculus capitis) guest and its presence is irritating to the host Apart from a suspicion that this parasite may act as a carrier of typhus fever-a mere sus- factor of ill health. Mild itching is the only symptom noted-itching and scratching-in most instances in children. Sometimes the scratching sets up some Inflammation and SUD- puration in patches of scalp. In long neglected cases the lymph nodes at the base of the occi- put are swollen. tender and may supporate search behind the ears and over the temples for the nits
 The nits are the eggs of the lice. It is easy to mistake them for loose dandruff scales. But dandruff scales are, readily moved along the hair to which they may be attachced: nits are firmly glued to the hair shaft, usually close to the scalp. The lice themselves are easier to re- move, but of course any nits not removed or killed will hatch into lice in few days
 Bear in mind the way lice spread-through contact of heads, as in school children, and through the agency of comb, brush, hat, cap, clothes hook, head rest or upholstered chair back pillow.
 First step in treatment is a thorough soap and water washing of scalp and hair. Of course clipping the hair makes this and all other treatment easier. If there is already some Inflammation of the scalp, a mild para suicidal ointment should be applied and kept applied to the scalp for day or two. such as
 Patat sapi,meh suiph"r ...'...'. on So grams grams Betanaphtnol ............. 50 grains Balsam of Peru ........... I dram
 o Pstrolatum @ ths n,t: stSoa to saturate the hair with either kerosene or equal parts of kerosene and olive oil, wrap 1t in dry bandage or towel or bathing cap and patient must avoid going near fire, flame lighting matches while the hair is soaked with second application of the kerosene for few hours, and another soap and water shampoo will eradicate them. Another way to remove nits is by drawing strands of hair through soft cloth saturated each time with kerosene and vinegar or with hot vinegar alone.
 pn5x i,,o oIo sn1 y in the seams. Characteristic the long scratch marks over the shoulders, upper back or waist, with an eruption of little infiamma- tory papules with blood-crusted tips In long standing cases brown pigmented spots appear. The clothing and underclothing must be ster- ilized by boiling or by steam or baking (iron- ing is sufficiently to kill the lice. Dusting the clothing lightly with washed sulphur repels lice. It is not necessary to use the heroic rem edies of war time. when sterilization of cloth-
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Kerosene Blisters
 Regarding the use of kerosene for blistering or drawing out inflammation. It has been so used for many years in my mothers family for sore throat, tied around throat with a flannel great blisters and the cold would be entirely gone Mother has stiff knee-wouId you recommend trying the kerosene treatment on Answer-If the skin is watched and the kero- sene removed as soon as the skin becomes red though blistering for simple sore throat | seems pretty severe treatment. Personally I'd rather have the sore throat than the blisters. Bremen Didn't Make Front Page Please your cynical eye over the inclOsed clipping and tell whether up-to-date clin.
 ic has steam filters and plumbers on its stan l Answer--The item tells of the defnise of the wife of a former local office holder at the So.
 inhaiator had failed to revive her. It does iooi
 as though the customers are getting wise t< the clinic racekt