Along with the itch are often found parasites of the head, or lice (pediculi). It is not at all infrequent to find them in the heads of uncared for children; but if a much-cared-for child is brought in contact with an infected head he will probably "catch" the infection. A most intense and disagreeable itching is set up at once. The treatment consists in getting the head clean by the use of a very fine comb, thus endeavoring to remove the adult parasites as well as the eggs or "nits." However, great care should be taken to avoid injuring the scalp. Perhaps the simplest and most effective treatment known is the kerosene bath which should be applied at night, the hair being done up in a bandage until morning, when the kerosene is washed off with soap and water and then the hair given a vigorous vinegar shampoo in order to destroy the "nits." Tincture of larkspur, or an ointment made from the seeds, may also be used. It is applied several days in succession and then washed out. CHAPTER XXXIII DEFORMITIES AND CHRONIC DISORDERS Reference has already been made to certain accidents of embryology during the very early days or weeks of the formative period of the embryo. Common illustrations of such deforming developmental accidents are harelip, cleft palate, and club foot. HARELIP AND CLEFT PALATE In the case of a partial or complete failure of the two sides of the face to come together in the median line, a deformity results which is known as harelip--a partial or complete cleft of the upper lip. It may be a single or a double cleft, exposing the teeth, or the cleft may even extend up into the nose. This deformity may seriously interfere with nursing, making it necessary to resort to feeding with a medicine dropper and later a spoon. The success of the operation for the relief of harelip, which should usually be performed during the early months of life, is often very remarkable. Should this failure to unite be in the deeper structures of the head, then cleft palate is the result. This, too, may be partial or complete: partial as seen in a cleft of the soft palate only; and complete, when the hard palate also is involved. In such an instance it is the floor of the nose that is defective; hence the nose and mouth are one cavity. A specially devised apparatus which assists the child in nursing may be found on the market, for nursing is well-nigh impossible without the closure of the roof of the mouth. The operation for cleft palate is usually successful when performed at the proper time and by competent hands. In tongue-tie the weblike membrane underneath is attached too far forward, so that the child is quite unable to protrude his tongue, and this condition greatly interferes with sucking. The operation for the relief of this condition is slight, and should be performed as soon as the defect is discovered. DEFORMED HANDS AND FEET