[Skin diseases 87]

Physicians’ treatment for Ringworm.—­1.  For infants and children simpler remedies should be used at first.  Scrub each patch with tincture of green soap, or merely good soap and water may be employed.  Then apply tincture of iodine to the patches, once or twice a day, enough to irritate the patches.  Dilute acetic acid, or dilute carbolic acid will do the same work.  A ten per cent solution of sodium hyposulphite is a good remedy also.

2.  Corrosive sublimate, one to four grains to the ounce of water, is very good to put on the patches.  For children the strength should be about one-half grain to the ounce.

3.  Ammoniated mercury is also very good to put on.  Sometimes a combination of remedies will do better, as follows: 

Milk of Sulphur        2-1/2 drams
Spirits of Green Soap       6 drams
Tincture of Lavender        6 drams
Glycerin                  1/2 dram

4.  Pure Iodine 2 ounces
    Oil of Tar 1 ounce

Mix with care gradually.

5.  Creasote 20 drops
    Oil of Cadini 3 drams
    Precipitated Sulphur 3 drams
    Bicarbonate Potash 1 dram
    Lard 1 ounce

Mix, to be used in obstinate cases in adults.

Ringworm of the Scalp.—­Cautions and Treatment.—­Be careful that others do not catch it from you.  Separate the child affected.  Cleanse the diseased parts from time to time by shampooing with a strong soap.  The hair over the whole scalp should be clipped short and the affected parts shaved, or if allowed, the hairs in the affected parts pulled out.  The remedies are then applied if possible in the shape of ointments, which are thoroughly rubbed in.  Vaselin and lanolin are better as a base for the medicine, as they penetrate deeper.  Following remedies are the most valuable: 

1.  Carbolic acid, one to two drams to glycerin one ounce.

2.  Oleate of mercury, strength ten to twenty per cent.

3.  Sulphur Ointment, ten to twenty per cent strength.

4.  Tincture of Iodine.

This variety lasts longer than the ringworms on the body, months sometimes are required to cure it.

Barber’s itch (Ringworm of the Beard).—­Mother’s Remedies. 1.  Standard Remedy for.—­“Plain vaselin two ounces, venice turpentine one-half ounce, red precipitate one-half ounce.  Apply locally.  Great care should be taken not to expose affected parts to cold and draughts while ointment is in use, especially if affected surface is large.”  The above is a standard remedy and will be found very effective in all cases of barber’s itch.  The vaselin will assist in healing the sores and softening up the scabs.

[88 Mothers’ remedies]

2.  Barber’s Itch, Healing Ointment for.—­“Plain vaselin four ounces, sulphur two ounces, sal-ammoniac powder two drams.  Mix and apply daily after cleansing the parts thoroughly with castile soap and soda water.  This is also an almost infallible cure for common itch.”  The vaselin is very good and healing, while the sulphur has a soothing effect and is a good antiseptic.