Can crabs (or pubic lice) be eliminated using vinegar?

I refer to pediculosis pubis.

I just finished a John D. MacDonald book (“A Tan and Sandy Silence”) where he claims that pubic lice and their eggs can be killed by dosing the effected areas with common household vinegar.

I thought it might be a good thing to discuss, as I’ve never heard of using vinegar, but Mr. MacDonald was usually very accurate and thorough in his research.

What about head lice, if there’s truth to the vinegar story?