CHAP. XXXV.
Of Nits.
NIts in the Greek are called Dorcas and Cumidas, the Italians call them Lendine, the Spaniards * 1.1 Liende, the Germans Niss, the English Nits, the Muscovites call them Guida. These are lit∣tle white living creatures, most like to Syrones, if they had but feet, but they are twice almost as small; and their body is somewhat long, out of which Aristotle saith that nothing else can breed: Crackt between the nails they make a noyse and die, they are not found only in the hair and eye-browes of men, but they abound also in the hair of Oxen and Cattel that are lean, and wanting feet, yet they will stick so fast sometimes, that you may as easily pull off the hair by the roots as pluck them off. Trotul•• not improperly calls them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hair-eaters, for as Snails live on the juice of herbs, so these live on the moysture of the hairs, and feed thereon. The Philosopher * 1.2 affirms, that they proceed from the copulation of Lice, and therefore are called their egges. They are like to the flowers of Jesemine that grows with us. For as Jesmine brings flowers without ••e••d, so Lice bring forth egges without young ones in them. They die either for want of nourishment, or * 1.3 by using a Comb with close teeth, or by the use of such Medicaments as the old and new Phy∣sicians prescribe abundantly. Pliny mingleth Allum with Vinegar, or Vinegar with gall of a Calf, and also ••aith, they are killed with Goats milk. Also he commends Nitre mingled with Terra Sa∣mia and smeered on, and the powder of Harts-horn drank in wine. Abenzoar prescribes, to anoynt the hair with the lesser Centaury, and Alkitrum. Brimstone in Vinegar takes away Nits, as also Oyl mingled with Lie. Marcellus doth very much commend Hogs dung mingled with wine and juice of Roses; also to anoynt with Honey and Sal Armeniack, but chiefly Oyl of Radishes with a strong lie. Hildegardis provides a lie made of Date-stones, which being mingled with Oyl of Radish roots, will kill the Nits. Ardonus mingles some sublimate of Quick-silver with spirit of wine: And he saith also, that if the head be first wet with a Hens egge, and then with the juice of Sow-bread, or Sea-water, that the〈…〉〈…〉 will never breed again. Gilbert an English man highly commends the gall of any Creature, as also all bitter things, cleansers, and Aromatical Drugs, with the juice of Marigolds.