The diseases of children / by James Frederic Goodhart.

  • Goodhart, James Frederic, Sir, 1845-1916.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The diseases of children / by James Frederic Goodhart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    treatment and the medical officer consents to his return, it being, of course, fully understood that con- tinued supervision and treatment will be necessary. Alopecia Areata is placed here because so much discussion has taken place as to whether it is or is not due to the growth of a fungus, and because, if it be not, it is a condition which might be mistaken for ringworm. The fact that authorities have hitherto been divided upon the parasitic nature of this affec- tion seems to me to poiiit unmistakably to the con- clusion that there is a disease (alopecia areata) which is non-parasitic, and that ringworm sometimes puts on very much the same appearances. The majority of living dermatologists are of opinion that alopecia areata is not due to a fungus. Alopecia is of various kinds, and any one of them may be found in child- hood ; but the disease which occurs in patches is apparently distinct from others, although the condition of the hair is, equally with them, one of simple atrophy The cause of this atrophy is unknown ; it is said to be sometimes hereditary. The hair falls out in patches, which increase at the circumference, and sometimes the entire scalp becomes bald. It is a common diseas e of childhood, and is treated—and as a rule success- fully—by stimulant applications to the scalp. The expressed oil of nutmeg, well rubbed into the patch night and morning, is a good remedy. Another favourite prescription is tincture of cantharides. carbonate of ammonia, spirits of rosemary, and water (F. 50). Tincture of iodine may be applied, or, if the case prove obstinate, a patch may be gently vesicated, if not too large, by blistering fluid or iodine liniment. Steiner quotes Eindfleisch as recommending a lotion of tincture of capsicum and glycerine, and it is one that I should think would prove useful. The child will probably be benefited by tonics and good living. Of Favus no lengthy mention is required, it is so rare. ^ I have seen it only four or five times. Kaposi notes its occurrence fifty-six times in a total of neaidy