Classification, correct dietary, and treatment of diseases of the skin : as practised at the Belfast Hospital for the Skin / by Henry S. Purdon.

  • Purdon, Henry Samuel.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Classification, correct dietary, and treatment of diseases of the skin : as practised at the Belfast Hospital for the Skin / by Henry S. Purdon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/50 (page 7)
    Is always a serious disease. Bulla? filled with alkaline serum, becoming finally puri- form. Urine is acid. Earthy phosphates usually normal. Sulphates increased. Chloride of sodium diminished. The urea above normal average. More or less fever accompanies complaint. Pemphigus folia- ceous is rare—begins by a single bulla on front of chest. Scales that subsequently form are like pastry. Odour offensive. Usually a fatal disease. Eczema—Humid tetter or running scald. Varieties according to seat— of Head, ,. Face, „Eyelids, Capitis, usually pustular. Faciei, common in children. Called crusts lactea. Palpebrarum, usually erythema- tous form. Occasionally pus- tular, and associated with con- junctivitis. Lips, Labiorum, is scaly and fissured around mouth. Ears, Anrium, vesiculars and meatus ob- structed by swelling. Breast,-! Mammarum, occurs during nurs- ing—nipples fissured. Navel, Umbilici, a form of intertrigo, due to heat and moisture. Genitalium, (These varietieS) very ,, Genitals „ Penis, „ Anus, „ Thighs, „ Hands, Perinei, Anum, Cruris, obstinate, and itch- ing severe. Manuum, fissured form, or eczema rimosum,calledgrocers' or bakers' itch. Feet, yPedum, toes as -well as feet attacked Eczema—Varieties according to form— fErythematodes, the red con- gested form. Papillosum, or lichen simplex, Siccum, 1 raised pimples or papules. Prurigo, same with inveterate itching. {Squamosum, dry scaly form. CYesiculare, the weeping form. ' Madidans,themoistred variety Rimosum, fissured variety, as on hands. Pustulosum, or impetigo,includ- ing Sparsa, isolated pustules ; Figurata, clusters of small pustules, usually circular; Pil- aris,on parts coveredbyhairs— ^ pustules have a hair in centre. Cause.—The causes may be either idio- pathic, sympathic, or constitutional. The last mentioned is the usual one, and accord- ing to late Erasmus Wilson, assimilative debility of digestive organs is the chief; also nutritive debility, nervous debility, and local debility, as from an injury to part. The HUMIDUM, TREATMENT. not remove cuticle, but smeared with pomade of zinc and camphor used as a dressing. In cases where the disease is very extensive a perpetual water bath, as devised by Hebra, is often necessary. Eczema, so common a skin disease, never- theless in its various forms, requires different plans of treatment. As a general rule, when in the acute or weeping stage, soothe and allay irritation by very hot stupes, followed by pomade of zinc and camphor, or pomade of litharge, as a dressing: Internally, saline aperients, probably with iron, as the sulphate of iron and magnesia in a bitter infusion, give good results; also careful dieting, avoidance of stimulants and sugar. In chronic cases arsenic often necessary. The ethereal solution of nitrate of silver is a good application as soon as the acute stage is passed; also the various pomades of mercury, especially if the eczema occurs on parts covered by hair. In very chronic cases the ethereal tincture of tar, or ethereal tincture of soft soap are good stimulating applications. When there is a good deal of subcutaneous infiltration the resorcin, mercury, and chry- sarobin pomade may be carefully employed. India-rubber bandages for chronic eczema, associated with ulceration on lower extrem- ities, are magical in their results. Tarry applications have always been of use in treatment of chronic infiltrated eczema. When tar is used for any length of time tar acne usually occurs, an inflammatory affec- tion at the orifice of hair follicles, or gland ducts. In the centre of each is a black plug of tar. The various preparations of potassa, as the liquor, are occasionally used in the local treatment of eczema. Water aggravates an eczema, and the same remark applies to lotions that are to be constantly applied. For relief of itching, hazeline may be used either pure, or with Lanoline. However, in spite of these the itchings will often prove cbstinate, and disappear only in cure of eruption itself. Eczema is usually worse in those persons who eat the same quality and quantity of food all the year round, and who take little exercise in the open air at any time. Recently a new remedy, called Vinolia, has been introduced by Messrs. Roberts & Co., New Bond Street, London, and is a soothing application—also allays itching.