LICE

lay eggs or nits, that are attached to the hairs by a ring of cement, which makes them very difficult to remove. The affection is by no means confined to the children of the poor. The best treatment, short of removal of the hair, is the application of some lotion, which di olves the cement, followed by the thorough use of a fine-toothed comb. In many hospitals, a lotion of vinegar and methyleted spirit in equs! parts is used. The hair ie thoroughly soaked in this lotion and then rags steeped in it aro placed on the hair, and tho whole is enclosed in a mackintosh bathing-cap for the night. Carbolic lotion (of a strength of 1 in 20) is also used in the same way, but though efficacious, it has the drawback that the absorption of some of the carbolic causes the urine to be green next morning. This, however, is not serious, for once or twice, in a child otherwise healthy. Care should be taken to keep the lotion out of the eyes. “ Izal.” which is non-poisonous, is a good substitute for carbolic. If the odour can be tolerated, thoroughly soaking the hair in petroleum will destroy the lice and loosen the nits. Sores in the scalp should be treated with white precipitate ointment. En bad cases with numerous crusts, after cutti off the hair, a linseed poultice smeared with olive oil should bo applied. This will remove the crusts, and white precipitate ointment may be then applied. [s. 382]