ITCH. Common Itch (Scabies)

Categories: Diseases of The Skin

Itch is a contagious disease, due to the
presence of an animal parasite. There is intense itching in this disease.

The parasite seeks the thin, tender regions of the skin, the spaces

between the fingers, wrists and forearms, the folds in the arm-pit, the

genitals in men and the breasts in women.



Cause. It is always transmitted by contagion. An intimate and long

contact is usually needed. A person occupying the s me bed with one who

has it is liable to take it. The female parasite lives from six to eight

weeks, during which time she lays fifty eggs, which, when hatched out,

become impregnated in their turn.



MOTHERS' TREATMENT for Common Itch. 1. Mustard Ointment for. "Make an

ointment of cup of fresh lard (without salt) and a tablespoonful of dry

mustard, work to cream and apply." This is very soothing.



2. Itch, Grandmother's Cure for. "Sulphur and lard mixed; rub on at

night, then take a good bath, using plenty of soap, every day." The above

ingredients are always easily obtained and anyone suffering with this

disease will find relief from the itching by using this remedy. It is very

soothing.



3. Itch, Herb Ointment for. "Mix the juice of scabious with fresh lard

and apply as an ointment. A decoction made from the same herb might be

taken at the same time to purify the blood. It is always well to take some

blood tonic together with any outward application you may use." Some who

read the above may know scabious by other names as the "morning bride" or

"sweet scabious" or "devil's bit," etc.



4. Itch, Elecampane Root Ointment for. "Boil elecampane root in vinegar,

mix with fresh lard, beating thoroughly." This is an excellent remedy for

itch, having a very soothing effect and relieving the itching.







5. Itch, Oatmeal for. "A poultice of oatmeal and oil of bays; cures the

itch and hard swellings." Oatmeal poultices are more stimulating and draw

more rapidly than those made of linseed meal.



6. Itch, a Mother at Parma, Michigan, Sends the Following. "Make a salve

of sulphur and lard and each night apply it to the whole body; also one

tablespoonful internally for three mornings, then skip three and so on.

This is the only thing I know of that will cure itch. I have tried it with

success."



7. Itch, Kerosene for. "Apply kerosene oil, undiluted, to the parts

several times a day. Apply nitrate of mercury ointment to the body."



8. Itch, Splendid Ointment for Common Itch.



"Lac-Sulphur 160 grains

Napthaline 10 grains

Oil Bergamot 4 drops

Cosmoline 1 ounce



Rub lac-sulphur into fine powder. Sift it into the melted cosmoline and

stir until nearly cool, then add napthaline and oil bergamot. Stir until

cool."



PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Itch. If the skin is much inflamed or

irritable, soothing baths and ointments should be used at first. There are

three indications to be met in the treatment; first, to destroy the cause,

the parasite; second, to cure the result of their work; third, to prevent

a return or transmission to others.



First Thing to Do. Soak the body thoroughly with soap (green soap if you

have it) and water, this softens the outer layer (epidermis). This layer

covers the female parasite which burrows under it. The male does not

burrow and it is therefore easier to kill. Rub the skin thoroughly with a

rough towel after the soaking. This rubbing will remove the outer skin

scales and with it some of the parasites. The towel should be boiled at

once to prevent it from conveying the parasite to others. Then apply the

ointment, which, if thoroughly applied, relieves the patient at once. The

skin should be well softened and rubbed in order to open every track

(burrow) of the parasite. Allow the ointment to remain on all night and

use it for three or four nights successively.



Ointments. 1. Simple sulphur ointment alone.



2. Oil of Cale (from Juniper) 1 dram

Sulphur Ointment 2 drams

Lanolin 5 drams



3. Flowers of Sulphur 6 ounces

Oil of Fagi 6 ounces

White Chalk 4 ounces

Green Soap 16 ounces

Lard 16 ounces



Apply at night. This is not so strong.







4. For children the following can be used:



Sulphur 1 dram

Balsam Peru 1 dram

Lard 1 ounce



Apply as usual.



5. The following for adults:



Precipitated Sulphur 2 drams

Carbonate of Potash 1 dram

Lard Ointment 1-1/2 ounces



Rub well into the skin.



Second:--Heal the resultant sores with soothing applications like vaselin

and a little camphor in it.



Third:--Boil and disinfect all underwear and bedding or any article liable

to give an abiding place to the parasite. It is easily cured with proper

treatment.