The disease consists, anatomically, of both a diminution and increase of the pigment—the white patch resulting from the former, and the pigmented borders from the latter. There is no textural change, the skin in other respects being normal.
From what diseases is vitiligo to be differentiated?
From morphœa and from the anæsthetic patches of leprosy.
In what respects do these diseases differ from vitiligo?
In morphœa there is textural change, and in leprosy both textural change and constitutional or other symptoms.
What prognosis is to be given?
It should always be guarded, the disease in almost all cases being irresponsive to treatment.
What is the treatment of vitiligo?
The general health is to be looked after, and remedies directed especially toward the nervous system to be employed. Arsenic, in small and continued doses, seems at times to have an influence; when there is lack of general tone it may be prescribed as follows:—
℞ Liq. potassii arsenitis, ........................ fʒj
Tinct. nucis vom., .............................. fʒiij
Elix. calisayæ, ............... q.s. ad. ........ f℥iv. M.
SIG.—fʒj t.d.