Part 7

#Name the more actively contagious skin diseases.#

Impetigo contagiosa, ringworm, favus, scabies and pediculosis; excluding the exanthemata, erysipelas, syphilis and certain rare and doubtful diseases.

#RAPIDITY OF CURE.#

#Is the rapid cure of a skin disease fraught with any danger to the patient?#

No. It was formerly so considered, especially by the public and general profession, and the impression still holds to some extent, but it is not in accord with dermatological experience.

#OINTMENT BASES.#

#Name the several fats in common use for ointment bases.#

Lard, petrolatum (or cosmoline or vaseline), cold cream and lanolin.

#State the relative advantages of these several bases.#

Lard is the best all-around base, possessing penetrating properties scarcely exceeded by any other fat.

Petrolatum is also valuable, having little, if any, tendency to change; it is useful as a protective, but is lacking in its power of penetration.

Cold Cream (ungt. aquæ rosæ) is soothing and cooling, and may often be used when other fatty applications disagree.

Lanolin is said to surpass in its power of penetration all other bases, but this is not borne out by experience. It is an unsatisfactory base when used alone. It should be mixed with another base in about the proportion of 25% to 50%.

These several bases may, and often with advantage, be variously combined.

#What is to be added to these several bases if a stiffer ointment is required?#

Simple cerate, wax, spermaceti, or suet; or in some instances, a pulverulent substance, such as starch, boric acid, and zinc oxide.

#CLASS I.--DISORDERS OF THE GLANDS.#

#Hyperidrosis.#

#What is hyperidrosis?#

Hyperidrosis is a functional disturbance of the sweat-glands, characterized by an increased production of sweat. This increase may be slight or excessive, local or general.

#As a local affection, what parts are most commonly involved?#

The hands, feet, especially the palmar and plantar surfaces, the axillæ and the genitalia.

#Describe the symptoms of the local forms of hyperidrosis.#

The essential, and frequently the sole symptom, is more or less profuse sweating.

If the hands are the parts involved, they are noted to be wet, clammy and sometimes cold.

If involving the soles, the skin often becomes more or less macerated and sodden in appearance, and as a result of this maceration and continued irritation they may become inflamed, especially about the borders of the affected parts, and present a pinkish or pinkish-red color, having a violaceous tinge. The sweat undergoes change and becomes offensive.

#Is hyperidrosis acute or chronic?#

Usually chronic, although it may also occur as an acute affection.