Treatment.—­Make a free cut and take the mass out.  Its covering (capsule) or sac must be removed at the same time, for if any of this membrane (capsule) is left it will fill up again.  Equal parts of fine salt and the yolk of an egg beaten together and applied continuously will eat the skin open and the mass can then be taken out.  This is quite painful and takes several days, while with the knife there is little pain if cocaine is injected and it will all be over in a few minutes.

[86 Mothers’ remedies]

Ringworm (Tinea Trichophytina).—­Ringworm is a contagious disease of the skin, produced by the presence of a vegetable parasite.  The disease affects the hair follicles of the scalp and the beard, and also of the portions of the body that, seemingly at least, have no hair.

Varieties.—­Ringworm affecting the body called Tinea Circinata.  Ringworm affecting the scalp called Tinea Tonsurans.  Ringworm affecting the beard, etc., Tinea Barbae (barbers’ itch).

Ringworm of the Body.—­This type of ringworm usually begins as one or several round, somewhat raised and very small, defined congested spots and these are covered with a few branny scales.  The disease extends from the circumference and, while healing in the center, assumes a shape like a ring and these rings may become as large as a silver dollar and remain the same size for months or years, or they may go together (coalesce) to form circle (gyrate) patches.  Vesicle and pimples frequently crop out at the circumference.

Mothers’ Remedies for Ringworm.—­1.  Gunpowder and Vinegar for.—­“Make a paste of gunpowder and vinegar and apply.  Sometimes one application will be sufficient; if not, repeat.”

2.  Ringworm, Cigar Ashes for.—­“Wet the sore and cover with cigar ashes.  Repeat frequently.  This will cure if taken in time.”  This is a very simple and effective remedy.  Cigar ashes are always easy to obtain and if applied to the ringworm at the very beginning, the nicotine in the tobacco will draw out the soreness and relieve the inflammation.

3.  Ringworm, Kerosene for.—­“Apply kerosene with the finger or a cloth several times a day.”

4.  Ringworm, Ontario Mother Cured Boy of.—­“Wash head with vinegar and paint with iodine to kill germ.  Cured a neighbor’s boy.”

5.  Ringworm, Another from a Mother at Valdosta, Georgia.—­“Burdock root and vinegar.”  Take the dock root and steep it the same as any ordinary herb tea, then add your vinegar, making the proportions about half and half.  Apply this to the affected part.

6.  Ringworm, Egg Skin Remedy for.—­“Take the inner skin of an egg and wrap around it, and cover with a piece of cloth.”

7.  Ringworm, from a Mother at Owosso.  Michigan.—­“Take gunpowder and wet it and put it on the sores,” This remedy has been tried a great many times and always gives relief when taken right at the beginning.  So many people will wait, thinking the ringworm will disappear of its own accord, instead of giving some simple home remedy like the above a trial.