“The biting organ of the bedbug is similar to that of other insects of its order. It consists of a rather heavy, fleshy under lip (the only part ordinarily seen in examining the insect), within which lie four thread-like hard filaments or setæ which glide over one another with an alternating motion and pierce the flesh. The blood is drawn up through the beak, which is closely applied to the point of puncture, and the alternating motion of the setæ in the flesh causes the blood to flow more freely. “To allay the irritation set up by the bite of the bedbug, peroxide of hydrogen or dioxygen may be used with good results. “Tincture of iodine either at ordinary or double strength is also a good counterirritant for use in cases of flea, mosquito, bedbug, and other insect bites, but should be used with caution on the tender skin of small children and on those who are affected with or disposed to eczemic disorders.” “Natural Enemies of the Bedbug. “Living always in houses as it does and being well concealed, the bedbug is not normally subject to much if any control by natural enemies. Certain other household insects, however, do occasionally prey upon the bedbug, as, for example, the house centipede and the common little red house ant. Such enemies, however, are of very small importance and yield little, if any, effective control except under very exceptional circumstances.” “Remedies. “Undoubtedly the most efficient remedy for the bedbug is to fumigate the infested house or rooms with hydrocyanic-acid gas. This gas will penetrate into every crevice in the house or room where the bedbugs conceal themselves and has an immediate effectiveness which gives it an important recommendation, especially when the infestation is considerable or of long standing. This method of fumigation should be intelligently employed, as the gas is deadly poisonous.” Five ounces of potassium cyanide per 1,000 cubic feet of space should be employed; exposure, one hour.[2] Ten ounces per 1,000 cubic feet would be better. [2] Creel, R. H., and Faget, F. M., Cyanide Gas for the Destruction of Insects, with Special Reference to Mosquitoes, Fleas, Body Lice, and Bedbugs: Public Health Reports, June 9, 1916, pp. 1464–1475; Reprint No. 343.