3.  Barber’s Itch, Reliable Remedy for.—­“Citrine ointment one dram, vaselin or cosmolin one ounce.  Mix thoroughly.  Wash the affected parts clean and apply this ointment on a soft rag three times a day.”  This is a standard remedy and one to be relied upon.  It is very soothing and has great healing properties.

4.  Barber’s Itch, Sulphur and Lard for.—­“Sulphur and lard mixed together and applied three or four times a day.  Have found this to be the best of anything ever used for barber’s itch.”  This remedy will be found very good if the case is not very severe.  If the face is covered with sores, filled with pus and of long standing a stronger treatment should be used.  See other Mothers’ Remedies, also Doctors’ Treatment.

5.  Barber’s Itch, Cuticura Ointment for.—­“Apply cuticura ointment to the sores, and as it draws out the water press a clean cloth against the sore to absorb the water.  This will generally draw the water out in three or four days.”

Physicians’ treatment for Barber’s Itch.—­Pulling out the hairs or close shaving every day.  Keep the affected parts soaking with olive oil for two successive days.  The evening of the third day the shampoo is employed, the skin is washed free from crusts and scales, shave cleanly.  After shaving bathe the parts for ten minutes with borated water, as hot as can be borne; while this is being done, all pustules or points where there is a mucous fluid coming out to the surface are opened with a clean needle.  Sponge freely over the affected surface with a strong solution of hyposulphite of sodium for several minutes and not allow it to dry; this solution may contain one dram and perhaps more to the ounce.  After a thorough and final washing with hot water, the tender skin is carefully dried and gently smeared with a sulphur ointment containing one to two drams of sulphur to the ounce of vaselin, often with the addition of from one-quarter to one-half grain of mercuric sulphide.  In the morning wash the ointment off with soap and water, the sodium solution is reapplied and a borated or salicylated powder is thoroughly dusted and kept over the parts during the day and apply ointment at night.  The shaving must be repeated at least the next day.  As soon as there are no pustules (lumps), or they have diminished in size, the ointment at night is superseded by the use of the dusting powder.  The washing with very hot water and with the solution hyposulphite is continued nightly, when the inflammation excited by the parasite is limited to the follicles that are invaded.  Continue the dusting powder after the ointment is discontinued.

[Skin diseases 89]

Wart (Verucca).  Mothers’ Remedies.—­1.  An Application for, also Good for Cuts and Lacerations.—­“Make a lotion of ten drops tincture of marigold to two ounces of water and apply.”  This is also good for severe cuts and lacerations.  It may be applied by cloths or bandages if the case requires.