Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 11.djvu/70

* ITCH. 54 ITHACA. warmth and pressure (a.s the waist and but- tocks), are generally attacked, and in women the neighborhood of the nipples is early invaded hy the eruption. The dermatitis resulting from the parasite and from the scratching caused by the itching is a simple intlammation of the skin, re- sembling that caused by heat, cold, or mechanical irritants. The entrance of microiirganisnis into the abraded surface may cause pustular lesions. The treatment for the condition is first directed to killing the insects and their eggs. This re- sult is effected by the use of sulphur. Xaphthol, ichthyol, oil of cade, and carbolic acid are also used, to allay the itching and reduce the inflam- mation. Reinfection from the patient's own gloves, mufTs, bedding, etc.. is possible — an acci- dent which may be obviated by baking or boiling the articles. See AcwRis Folliculorum. Duobie's Itch, also called Indian, Chinese, or Burmese rinf/irorm, is a form of tinea which at- tacks the opposite and inner sides of the thighs and the region of the genitals, the folds of the buttocks, the skin under the breasts or in the axilla, causing great suffering from the extreme itching and tenderness which accompany the ap- pearance of the eruption. This variety of tinea (tinea trichophytina cruris) occurs commonly in warm climates, though found in this country. The treatment which seldom fails is the use lo- cally of genuine sulphurous acid. The applica- tion of this remedy is to be followed by an oint- ment of tar and zinc, or compound tincture of green soap. See also Babbek's Itch. ITCH. A parasitic disease of horses, dogs, and other animals. See Mange. ITCHEN, Ich'cn. A growing town and suburb of Southampton. England, on the estuarv of the Itchen. Population, in 1891, 8200; in 1901, 13,100. ITCH-MITE, Acarus scabiei, or f^nrcopfes scabici. Although the itch was undoubtedly known both to the Greeks and Romans, there is no certain evidence that a mite was recognized as the cause of the disease earlier than by Aven- zoar, an Arabian physician of the twelfth cen- tury. Throughout the Jliddle Ages, and till the nineteenth century, the necessary connection be- tween the disease and the mite was universally recognized. During the early part of the last century the existence of "the itch-mite was dis- trusted, until in 18.34 Renucci. a Corsican stu- dent, demonstrated the existence of the creature. The itch-mite is now an unusual pest in the United States, and in ordinary hospital practice a ease is reported only at long inter'als. A case reported in 1892 by Dr. Robert Hessler. of In- dianapolis, attracted much attention. The skin of the patient was estimated to contain 7.000.- 000 eggs and 2,000,000 mites. The itch-mites of the lower animals were formerly considered to be distinct from the species affecting human be- ings; hut Raillet, the latest authority, believes them to be only varieties, and it seems there- fore that human beings may be infested from certain of the domestic animals. The true human itch is Acarus scahiei, now known as Sarcoptrs scabiei horn in is : the Norway itch, flarcoptes sca- hiei crust osw : that of the horse. Sarcnptes sca- biei equi ; of the sheep. Sarcoptes scabiei oris, etc. All stages of the parasite occur on the host, upon which it is absolutely dependent for exist- ence. The adult female mite is considerably larger than the male; it is visible to the naked eje, and forms a roundish, grayish-white corpuscle, not unlike a starch-granule; it is about one-fifth of a line in length, and one-seventh in breadth. When seen under the microscope, it presents a truncated tortoise-like shape, and is seen to be studded with hairs and bristles. The head ter- minates in two pairs of mandibles, and these mandibles afford good characteristic distinction* of the sjiecies. The males are much scarcer than the females. Consult: Raillet, ZoiJlogie medicale (Paris, 1895) ; and Osborn, Insects Affecting Domestic Animals (Department of Agriculture, Washing- ton, 1890). See Itcii ; ACARIS FoLLlCTLOKUM. ITCHWEED. A North American marsh plant with poisonous properties. See Hellebore. ITENEZ, e-ta'nfiz. A river of Brazil. See GU.VPORfi. ITETAPANE, e-ta'ta-pii'nfl. A bead-bunting Malay-Xegrito j)eople in Isabela Province, Luzon. See Philippine Islands. ITH'ACA, an island of Greece. See Ithaki. ITHACA. A village and the county-seat of Gratiot County. Mich.. 42 miles north of Lansing, on the Ann Arbor Railroad (Map: Michigan, J 5). It is the centre of a fertile agricultural dis- trict, and has iron-works, potteries, and manu- factures of flour, lumber, staves, tubs, windmills, etc. The court-house, erected at a cost of .$7.5.000, and the school (.?2.5.000). are the most prominent buildings. Population, in 1890, 1627; in 1900, 2020. ITHACA. A city and the county-seat of Tompkins County, X. Y.. 60 miles southwest of Syracuse, at the head of Ca^Tiga Lake, and on th>; Lackawanna, the Lehigh Valley, and other rail- roads (Map: Xew York, D 3). Its location is one of great natural beauty. In addition to the scenery of Cayuga Lake, that of numerous gorges and waterfalls in the vicinity adds to the city's attractions, the most noted of the falls being But- termilk. Triphammer. Ithaca, and Taughannock falls. The last. 21.5 feet in height, is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Cornell L'niversity (q.v.) is picturesquely situated on Cornell Heights, about 400 feet above and over- looking the lake and the city. Among other fea- tures of interest are several well-known prepara- tory schools. Cornell free library (21.000 vol- umes) and reading-room, Ithaca Conservatory of ilusic, Renwick Park, and three suspension bridges. Ithaca is in a productive farming re- gion. Its coal trade is extensive, and there are manufactures of castings, machinery, agricultural implements, guns, calendar clocks, salt, glass, wall-paper, etc. Under the charter of 1888 the government is vested in a mayor biennially elected, a coimcil, and administrative officials, who, with the exception of the board of educa- tion, which is chosen by popular election, are appointed by the mayor, some such appointments, however, being subject to the consent of the council. Population, in 1890, 11,097; in 1900, 13.136. Settled in 1789. Ithaca wa.s variously called 'The Flats.' 'The City,' and 'Sodom,' until about 1806, when Simeon De Witt gave it its present name. In 1821 it was incorporated as a village, and in 1888 was chartered as a city. At Buttermilk Falls, near Ithaca, stood the Ca-