Part 66

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The cautious use of a five to twenty per cent. chrysarobin ointment is of value. Painting the patches with pure carbolic acid or trikresol every ten days or two weeks sometimes acts well; it should not be applied over large areas nor used in young children. Galvanization or faradization of the affected parts may also be employed, and with, occasionally, beneficial effect. Stimulation with the high-frequency current by means of the vacuum electrode is also of value. When practicable, the Finsen light can be applied with hope of benefit and cure.

#Atrophia Pilorum Propria.# (Synonym: Atrophy of the Hair.)

#What do you understand by atrophy of the hair?#

An atrophic, brittle, dry condition of the hair, and which may be either symptomatic or idiopathic.

#Describe the several conditions met with.#

As a symptomatic affection, the dry, brittle condition of the hair met with in seborrha, in severe constitutional diseases, and in the various vegetable parasitic affections, may be referred to.

As an idiopathic disease it is rare, consisting simply of a brittleness and an uneven and irregular formation of the hair-shaft, with a tendency to split up into filaments (fragilitas crinium); or there may be localized swelling and bursting of the hair-shaft, the nodes thus produced having a shining, semi-transparent appearance (trichorrhexis nodosa). This latter usually occurs upon the beard and moustache.

#State the causes of atrophy of the hair.#

The causes of the symptomatic variety are usually evident; the etiology of idiopathic atrophy is obscure, but by many is thought due to parasitism.

#What would be your prognosis and treatment in atrophy of the hair?#

Symptomatic atrophy usually responds to proper measures, but always slowly; treatment is based upon the etiological factors.

For the idiopathic disease little, as a rule, can be done; repeated shaving or cutting the hair has, in exceptional instances, been followed by favorable results.

#Atrophia Unguis.# (Synonyms: Atrophy of the Nails; Onychatrophia.)

#Describe atrophy of the nails.#

The nails are soft, thin and brittle, splitting easily, and are often opaque and lustreless, and may have a worm-eaten appearance. Several or more are usually affected.

#State the causes of atrophy of the nails.#

The condition may be congenital or acquired, usually the latter. It may result from trauma, or be produced by certain cutaneous diseases, notably eczema and psoriasis; or it may follow injuries or diseases of the nerves. Syphilis and chronic wasting constitutional diseases may also interfere with the normal growth of the nail-substance, producing varying degrees of atrophy. The fungi of tinea trichophytina and tinea favosa at times invade these structures and lead to more or less complete disintegration--onychomycosis.

#What is the treatment of atrophy of the nails?#

Treatment will depend upon the cause. When it is due to eczema or psoriasis, appropriate constitutional and local remedies should be prescribed. If it is the result of syphilis, mercury and potassium iodide are to be advised. In onychomycosis--an exceedingly obstinate affection--the nails should be kept closely cut and pared, and a one- to five-grain solution of corrosive sublimate applied several times a day; a lotion of sodium hyposulphite, a drachm to the ounce, is also a valuable and safe application.

#Atrophia Cutis.# (Synonyms: Atrophoderma; Atrophy of the Skin.)

#What do you understand by atrophy of the skin?#

By atrophy of the skin is meant an idiopathic or symptomatic wasting or degeneration of its component elements.

#State the several conditions met with.#

Glossy skin, general idiopathic atrophy of the skin, parchment skin, atrophic lines and spots, senile atrophy, and the atrophy following certain cutaneous diseases.

#Describe glossy skin (atrophoderma neuriticum), and state the treatment.#

Glossy skin is a rare condition following an injury or disease of the nerve. It is usually seen about the fingers. The skin is hairless, faintly reddish, smooth and shining, with a varnished and thin appearance, and with a tendency to fissuring. More or less severe and persistent burning pain precedes and accompanies the atrophy.

Protective applications are called for, the disease tending slowly to spontaneous disappearance.