Essentials of Diseases of the Skin / Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine

by Henry Weightman Stelwagon

Sycosis.

Is constitutional treatment of no avail in sycosis?

In some instances; but, as a rule, it is negative. If indicated, such remedies as tonics, alteratives, cod-liver oil and the like are to be prescribed.

Describe the external treatment.

Crusting, if present, is to be removed by warm embrocations. If the inflammation is of a high grade, and the parts tender and painful, soothing applications, such as bland oils, black wash and oxide-of-zinc ointment, cold cream and petrolatum, are to be used; boric-acid solution, fifteen grains to the ounce, may be advised in place of black wash.

In most cases, however, astringent and stimulating remedies are demanded from the start, such as: diachylon ointment, alone or with ten to thirty grains of calomel to the ounce; oleate of mercury, as a five- to twenty-per-cent. ointment; precipitated sulphur, one to three drachms to the ounce of benzoated lard, or lard and lanolin; a ten- to twenty-five-per-cent. ichthyol ointment; and resorcin lotion or ointment, ten to twenty per cent. strength.

Fig. 28.

Sycosis.