HERB - How to get the tick off

[Keith E. Brandt, M.D.]

I wrote the following tick article last year. It is aimed at an SCA 
audience, and would be appropriate for inclusion in local newsletters.

My only caveat to the referenced Mayo Clinic article is the use of oil. 
Most of the information I have seen recommends that you don't stress the 
tick by putting anything on it to suffocate it, or try to burn it (the old 
match trick). These techniques will cause the tick to regurgitate, thus 
increasing the chances of infection. If you grasp them around the head and 
mouthparts with a fine forcep, you are indeed stressing the wee beastie, 
but you are also closing off the gullet and preventing any more tick body 
fluids from entering the host.

The article appears on the Chirurgeon's Point website at 
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/Chirurgeon/ticks.html

The Scourge of the Woodlands

          We’ve all heard stories around the war campfire of wee people and 
fairies lurking in the woods to waylay weary travelers, and in my many 
years of travels these I have never seen. But lad, there is a wee beastie 
you must beware of, as I have seen this one strike strong healthy men who 
knew not they were under attack. They lie in wait quietly in the weeds at 
trailside, carrying with them disease and pestilence. They move silently 
and strike with deadly stealth. Who are these highwaymen who hold us under 
perpetual siege? They are none other than that arachnid scourge – the tick.
      We are now in the time of year when the call for battle goes out and 
armies march to distant and not-so-distant battlefields. However, often the 
greatest danger comes not from the sword of the enemy, but rather the march 
and the campsite. From this enemy, even the good gentles who support the 
men-at-arms are not safe. The tick will hide in tall grasses and shrubs, 
preferring to rest about 2 feet above the ground. Detecting the heat of the 
body and the exhaled breath of a living being, leaping to its victim, the 
tick finds a suitable location, often the armpit, groin, or waist to 
attach. It burrows its mouthparts into the skin and attaches with barbed 
proboscae and a natural cement. The
attachment process is completely painless, making detection most difficult. 
The way to find if you are under attack is a complete check of the entire 
body every few hours. Obviously, there are parts of the body that cannot be 
seen with one’s own eyes, and another willing gentle should be enlisted. 
Especial care should be given to the hair as the tick may easily hide 
there. Often it is better detected by feel than by sight. Note that a tick 
in its fasting state may be but the size of a mustard seed and quite 
difficult to see.
      Any tick found should be removed as soon as reasonably possible, as 
the longer the tick feeds, the more chance it has of injecting its vile 
humors into its victim. Care must be taken to remove the tick in the proper 
manner as not to distress it too much, causing it to vomit disease- laden 
juices into its host. You will hear many veteran soldiers talk about 
burning the tick or painting it to get it to drop off. Nay, I say, as these 
maneuvers will surely distress the beast with dire results. Acquire a pair 
of fine forceps, grasp the head of the tick as close as possible to the 
skin, and pull straight out slowly and firmly. Watch the wound for signs of 
infection, which may be treated with ointments and cleansing as any other 
skin wound. However, after being bitten by a tick, watch especially for a 
rash that forms a circle around the bite giving the appearance of an 
archer’s target and slowly enlarges. This may occur many days after the 
bite. This is a sign of infection by Lyme disease, and the services of a 
Dockor of Physick should be sought immediately. Because the tick
bears many pestilences besides the disease of Lyme including Colorado Tick 
Fever, Babesiosis, Erlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tick-Borne 
Relapsing Fever, Tick Paralysis, and Tularemia, any disease producing a 
fever or rash should be evaluated and the healer told of the bite of the tick.
      As we are guided by the great healers Galen and Hippocrates, the best 
medicine is preventing illness. To avoid becoming a victim of the scourge 
tick, heed the following warnings: Travel not in high grass or shrubberies 
and wear light-colored clothing. Whenever possible, tuck pants legs into 
boots or keep legs covered. Treat thy garments with insect repellents such 
as Permanone (permethrin) or DEET. ("DEET", "Off", "Cutter", "Muskol"). 
Check yourself and household for ticks frequently – every few hours if 
possible, twice a day as a minimum. Only constant vigilance will protect 
one from falling ill to this predator of the woodlands. We must all keep 
our health while on campaign to emerge
from this summer season victors over both man and beast.

© 1998 Galen of Ockham (MKA Keith E. Brandt, M.D.)  May be used in SCA 
publications as long as content is not modified and proper credit given. 
For all other uses, please contact the author at wd9get at amsat.org.
In Service to Physick and Chirurgy,
Galen

Friar Galen of Ockham
chirurgeon at altavista.net
Journeyman Chirurgeon
Cyber CIC of the Chirurgeon Mailing List
Chirurgeon Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/Chirurgeon

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