A practical treatise on diseases of the skin / by John V. Shoemaker.

  • John Veitch Shoemaker
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical treatise on diseases of the skin / by John V. Shoemaker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    taiy. Functional or organic disease of any of the organs, or a derange- ment of tlie nervous system, is often the exciting cause. A nervous influence has frequently been noted to be active in occasioning it. The direct cause can not be ascertained at times, even after careful examination into the condition of the system. Treatment.—The treatment siiould be aj^propriate to the case under consideration. If the cause of the disease can be detected, it should he removed or counteracted. Lung, heart, and kidney affections, or liysteria, neuralgia, antemia, chlorosis, scrofula, or syphilis, may under- lie hyperidrosis, and they should receive the treatment necessary for each individual case. There are a number of remedies •which may be employed in arresting excessive perspiration, but their effect, as a rule, is only temporary. Geber refers to the value of white agaric (O'l to 05 gra.), the extract of aconite (003 to 0*06 gm.), and to salvia leaves, flor sambuc, the aqueous extract of strychnine, carbolic and salicylic acids. Jaborandi has been of service, as well as pilo- carpin and atropia. 'l.^he latter is probably the most effective and certain general remedy; it may be given hypodermatically, in from one eightieth to one one hundred and sixtieth of a grain. Ergot, in the form of the fluid extract, and faradization have also been followed by good results. Local treatment is essential in curing or relieving the disease. The constant use of water in the form of baths, or applied directly to the ])art, simple or medicated, is not usually attended with the best results. In its mildest forms the occasional use of water, as hot as the surface can bear, with naphthol, corrosive sublimate, sulphur, or tar soap, is often productive of good. In light and severe cases dusting- powders are well borne, either alone or after the application of water. Zinc oleate, salicylic acid, and naphthol are perhaps the most use- ful of all powders. The following I have found of service : I5L Pulv. zinci oleatis 3.iij. Pulv. amylii 3 ss. M. J}, Acidi salicylici, Bismuth subnit aa | ss. M. Naphtholi 3 j- Acidi borici 3 ss. M. As soon as the powders become moist on the surface they should be removed with sweet-oil and reapplied. Care should always be exercised to avoid having the affected part too warmly covered or too well pro- tected. This condition is frequently observed among women who wear shields in the axilte to protect their clothing, and in men who apply varicocele-bags and other means of protection around the genital or- gans. These articles may often cause the secretions to be retained, and produce an inflammation of the skin. Lotions are frequently effectual, either alone or iu connection with
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