A Note on the Life Cycle and Fertility of the Body Louse (Pediculus Corporis)
R. H. Hutchinson
1918
Journal of Economic Entomology
quito. The wheal that develops is not so high, or as hard as when not rubbed, and it lacks much of its whitish color. Likewise, the reddish area around the wheal is not differentiated. It is merged with the diffuse wheal and is of the same color. The effects of rubbing must be kept clearly in mind in interpreting the value of palliatives. RESULTS The results obtained by testing the following; soap, bay rum, 95 percent alcohol, 30 percent alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, concentrated
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... on of ammonia, weak solution of ammonia, and indigo in water are given alove in tabular form. SUMMARY 1. Hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, and indigo apparently are worthless as palliatives, and not only fail to have any alleviating effect on the injury from the mosquito bites, but apparently augment the injury. However, this apparent augmentation probably comes from the rubbing which has the effect of increasing the itching pain at first and of diffusing the wheal, although usually neither the pain or swelling lasts as long. 2. Soap, bay rum, dilute alcohol, and dilute ammonia have but slight value. Dilute ammonia is to be preferred of the four. If soap is rubbed into the skin some relief is obtained, which probably comes chiefly from the rubbing. 3. Strong alcohol and strong ammonia have the greatest value as palliatives, both giving a marked reduction in pain. There is a tendency for the former to leave a hardened lump in the place of the wheal, and the latter is rather harsh on the skin. The following is a record of the rate of development and of the deposition of eggs of the body louse at body-surface temperature with unlimited opportunities for feeding. It is of special interest as giving a record of deposition higher than any heretofore published. It fully confirms the data given by Nuttall (Biology of Pediculus humanus, Parasitology, Vol. 10, No.1) on the duration of the life cycle, and affords further evidence in support of his claim that the fertility of body lice has been greatly underestimated and that a true idea of by guest on
doi:10.1093/jee/11.5.404
fatcat:xfdvsorinjgzrm23mumzerxbza