Alphos, which from its Greek derivation signifies white, is characterized by circular, slightly raised white spots. These eruptions vary in size from one line to two inches in diameter, and may be scattered over the entire surface of the body, although they most frequently appear upon the elbows and knees. Alphos may consist of a single tubercle, or of large clusters constituting patches. The scales vary in color and thickness. In Colored Plate III, Figs. 14 and 15, are fine illustrations of alphos. When a person begins to recover from this affection, the scales fall off, leaving a smooth red surface, which gradually returns to its natural color.
This disease is more liable to occur in winter than in summer, although in some cases the reverse holds true. It may disappear for a time, only to return again with renewed vigor. It is not regarded as contagious.
Treatment. Thorough and protracted constitutional treatment is required to overcome this disease. Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery should be taken internally and also applied locally to the affected parts. To every other bottle of the "Discovery" which is taken, one-half ounce of the iodide of potash may be added. One or two of the "Pellets" taken daily will prove a useful adjunct to the "Discovery."
Locally, we have sometimes applied a lotion made of oxide of zinc, one-half drachm; benzoic acid, two drachms; morphine, five grains; glycerine, two ounces. Tincture of the chloride of iron, one drachm in one ounce of glycerine, makes an excellent local application. Whatever the local treatment may be, however, we chiefly rely upon the persistent use of the best alteratives, or blood-cleansing medicines.
AFFECTIONS OF THE HAIR-FOLLICLES.
Favus (Scald Head) is a disease peculiar to the hair-follicles, and is indicated by the formation of small yellow crusts, having the form of an inverted cup. The eruption has a very offensive odor. When it appears in isolated cups, it is termed favus dispersus, but it often occurs in large clusters, as represented in Colored Plate II, Fig. 12. and is then termed favus confertus. It generally affects the scalp, but sometimes extends to the face and neck.
Cause. Favus is caused by nutritive debility, which results in a perverted cell-growth.
Sycosis (Barber's Itch) is an inflammatory affection of the hair follicles of the face. The prominent features of the disease are redness and the formation of scales. It is peculiar to males. It has received various names, according to its predominating characteristics, such as sycosis papulosa, tuberculosa, and fungulosa. Colored Plate II, Fig. 10, is a line illustration of sycosis as it appears on the cheek.
Causes. Various causes induce the appearance of sycosis. The general causes are nutritive debility, vicissitudes of heat and cold, and an exhausted state of the nervous system. It may also result from various chronic diseases, such as syphilis and dyspepsia.
Comedones, or grubs, are due to a retention of the sebaceous matter in the follicles. The sebaceous substance undergoes a change, becoming granular and somewhat hardened. It gradually extends to the mouth of the follicle, where it comes in contact with the atmosphere, and assumes a dark color, as represented in Plate II, Fig. 8. This fact, together with its peculiar form when squeezed out of the skin, has caused it to be termed grub. They often appear in great numbers on the face of persons whose circulation is not active, or those who are of a particularly nervous temperament. Stimulating baths and friction will prove very efficacious in removing these cylinders of sebaceous matter. If they are allowed to remain, they will produce an irritation of the skin causing an inflammatory disease known as acne, or stone-pock.