Physicians’ treatment for Lice.—­Destroy the lice and their eggs (ova) by thoroughly baking or boiling the clothing.  The irritated skin can be healed by soothing applications like vaselin, and oxide of zinc.

(Pediculus Pubis).—­Lice on the hair of the pubis or about the genitals.  This is the smallest parasite of the three varieties, and it attaches itself firmly to the hair with its head buried in the follicular openings, and it is removed with great difficulty.

Physicians’ treatment for Lice.—­1.  Ointment of mercury, blue ointment.  This is to be used frequently.  It is rather unclean and may create a severe inflammation so be careful of it.

2.  Solution of corrosive sublimate, from one to four grains to one ounce of water.  This is good and can be used once or twice a day; rub thoroughly into the parts.  It will cause redness and inflammation may follow if too much is used.  It is very effective.  Kerosene with an equal quantity of balsam of peru is a good remedy.

[Skin diseases 79]

Blister disease, (Pemphigus).—­This is an acute or chronic skin disease in which there are blisters of various sizes and shapes, and these usually occur in crops.

Symptoms.—­The disease may attack any part of the body.  The blisters range from the size of a pea to a large egg.  They contain at first a clear fluid, which soon becomes cloudy and looks more or less like pus.  They last several days and then dry up.  They do not rupture of themselves very often.  It is not catching.

Causes.—­These are obscure and not understood.  A low state of the system is usually found.

Physicians’ treatment for Blister Disease.—­General treatment should be given.  Arsenic is the best remedy and can be given in the form of Fowler’s solution, five drops after meals at the beginning far an adult.  This should be increased until some poisonous symptoms, such as bloating in the face is produced.

Elixir Quinine, Iron and Strychnine is good as a tonic, one teaspoonful after meals.  Regulate the diet, give nourishing and easily digested food.

Local Treatment.—­Puncture the blisters.  Then put on a mild ointment like vaselin; bran and starch baths can be given in some cases.  The length of the time of the disease is uncertain.

The itch disease. (Psoriasis) (not Common Itch).  Definition.—­This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, in which there appear upon the skin thick, adherent, overlapping, scales of a shiny, whitish color, and these are situated upon a reddish, slightly raised and sharply outlined (defined) base.