Measures for avoidance and extermination of flies, mosquitoes, lice and other vermin / by H. Maxwell-Lefroy.

  • Maxwell-Lefroy, H. (Harold), 1877-1925.
Date:
1916
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Measures for avoidance and extermination of flies, mosquitoes, lice and other vermin / by H. Maxwell-Lefroy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    2. The emulsion should be used in the hospital laundry as soap, or in combination with other soaps. The articles, after washing, should be rinsed in water containing from [ per cent, to 2 per cent, (about 2 oz. to the gallon) of the emulsion, well mixed. They should not be wrung out too tightly, but allowed to dry so that the clothing is impreg¬ nated with it. The clothes will then confer protection against lice. Vermin, i.e., lice, require single upstanding hairs or ibres on which to lay eggs and wool offers the most suitable medium owing to the immense number of isolated ibres that stick out on the surface. Silk clothing is less suitable because the fibre is continuous and ends do not stick up on the surface : under-clothing made of real silk not spun silk) is said to confer protection from vermin, probably on that account. As wool is so largely used in cold climates it is necessary to make it vermin-proof ; the oil ingredient of Vermijelli by stifling the lice and preventing the eggs hatching, makes wool as safe as silk. Obviously the hair on the body must either be removed ay shaving or must be rendered unsuitable for vermin laying eggs by the use of Vermijelli. Vermin hatching out from the egg upon cloth that has previously been treated in this manner has been found in¬ capable of survival. Overalls of doctors, nurses and order- ies, especially those worn during the handling of new, mcleansed patients, should be thus treated. They should pemade in one piece, including extensions to cover feet md hair, and should fit closely at the wrists. The hands can be protected with rubber gloves. 3. Verminous clothing, if worth preserving, should be poiled in water, or disinfected with steam. Pressing with l hot iron is useful, but not so efficacious. Both adult lice md the eggs are destroyed at a temperature considerably >elow that of boiling water. After this treatment, the dothes should be laundered in the method described under 10. 2.