During my ICT in Queensland, we wore uniforms which were treated with permethrin, a vial of which was given to us by the Army before the trip for to soak our uniforms ourselves. I soaked the combat fatigues (No. 4s), but not our grey vests, shorts and socks.
Permethrin is a nerve agent which is very poisonous, and which kills insects on contact as well.
During one of the very few down times in the field, I took off my No. 4 top and wore a grey vest while I rested. A little tick decided to have a bite of my left upper arm. I didn’t notice it till a few hours later when I felt a bump on my arm. Then I stupidly plucked the insect off thinking it was an ant. It was only upon closer inspection that I realised it was a tick.
Now, it’s flared up, the spot where the tick used to be – and I think the little bastard’s head’s still under my skin.
Three things you don’t do, folks:
1) Go to Queensland for Army training – there are ticks in the woods there.
2) Pluck a tick off your skin – leaves the little bastard’s head under your skin.
3) Look up the internet to explain symptoms of tick bites – brings out your inner hypochondriac.
Damn right they should appreciate NSmen’s contribution to the nation!
iTunes is playing an illegal copy of Brother Where Are You? (Matthew Herbert Mix) from the album “Verve Remixed 2” by Oscar Brown Jr. of which I have the original CD.
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