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110
resenting any interference with their children's bodily condition.
It does not occur to them at all that the bad condition
in which a child is found is due to their own neglect, and they
apparently suffer from defective sight, for when the vermin on
the child's head or body is shown to them, they very often
deny that any vermin is there, and a magnifying glass has to
be produced to convince them of the truth. Various reasons
are then given as excuses for neglect, such as 'the purchase of
some second-hand clothing '; 'the child having been placed in
proximity to dirty children in the class-room'; and very often
the old superstition is quoted that some children 'breed'
vermin, or that ill-health is responsible.
I have frequently to combat the opinion of dirty mothers
that fleas are the universal result of poverty, that it is impossible
to get rid of the pests, therefore the insects must be taken
as a matter of course and their presence tolerated; they are
surprised and very sceptical when told that it is possible to
eradicate fleas by persistent cleansing of floors, bedding,
clothing, &c., and the removal of carpets and hangings from
infested rooms. In houses where the bedding has been left
undisturbed for some days, or maybe weeks, one finds a mass
of wriggling microscopic threadlike worms all over the bedding.
These have been hatched from the eggs of fleas and deposited
in the dusty portions of the room. If the bedding at this stage
is thoroughly beaten, the coverings washed, and the room
scrubbed, the fleas may be considerably reduced in numbers,
and in time exterminated; but where energy and perseverance
are lacking the larva is allowed to go through its usual development
into the adult flea.
Children sleeping in beds infested with fleas or other vermin,
are usually found to be pale and nervous; they do not get
their proper amount of sleep and rest.