Acne or Stone-pock. In the earliest stage of congestion, acne is characterized by minute hardened elevations of the skin, as shown in Plate II, Fig. 9, and is termed acne punctata. As the affection progresses, a bright red pimple, Plate II, Fig. 11, appears, having a conical form, hence the name acne coniformis. The pimple develops into a pustule containing yellow "matter," and is then known as acne pustulosa. This is followed by a thickening of the tissues, termed acne tuberculata. When the thicker skin is removed, it leaves a deep scar, hence the term acne indurata.
Causes. The remote cause of acne is nutritive debility. The immediate causes are rapid growth, anæmia, improper food, errors of hygiene, mental exhaustion, and various chronic diseases.
Treatment. The treatment of favus or scald-head should be commenced by shaving the hair off close to the scalp and washing the head thoroughly with soap and water. In some severe cases, it may be necessary to soften the incrustations with poultices, following these with a free use of soap and water. Having thus exposed the scalp and thoroughly divested it of incrustations, apply to it the ointment of iodide of sulphur, which may be procured at any good drug store. It should be gently rubbed over the parts night and morning. The scalp ought to be kept perfectly clean throughout the treatment. Instead of the foregoing, the following may be applied: Take oxalic acid, ten grains; creosote, twenty drops; water, two ounces; mix. Half an hour after using this lotion, anoint the head freely with butter or lard; it will add greatly to the efficacy of the treatment. But while local applications will relieve many skin diseases and mitigate suffering, we cannot too strongly impress upon the minds of our readers the importance, in this as in all other chronic diseases of the skin, of perseverance in the use of the best alteratives. In this class of agents Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery stands pre-eminent. Its efficacy may be increased in this disease by adding to each bottle one ounce of the acetate of potash, and, when thus modified, it may be administered in the same manner as if no addition had been made to it.
The Treatment of Sycosis should be essentially the same as that suggested for favus, and it will result in prompt relief and a permanent cure.
Treatment of Acne. In the treatment of this, as in that of other diseases, we should seek to ascertain the cause, and, when possible, remove it. Outdoor exercise, a spare, unstimulating diet, and perfect cleanliness are of the first importance. The affected parts should be bathed with warm water and Castile, or, what is better, carbolic soap. Washing the face in cold water generally aggravates the disease. As a local application to the pustules, we have used with good results the following lotion: Oxide of zinc, twenty grains; morphine, five grains; glycerine, two ounces: mix. First having washed the affected parts thoroughly, apply this compound. Our chief reliance, however, as in the preceding diseases, should be upon the persistent use of alteratives and mild cathartics or laxatives.
FURUNCULAR AFFECTIONS.
(BOIL-LIKE AFFECTIONS.)
Under this head properly belong boils, carbuncles, and styes.
Boils. These annoying affections are hard, prominent, circumscribed, inflamed, suppurating tumors, having their seat in the cellular tissue beneath the skin. They vary in size from a pea to a hen's egg, and may occur on any part of the body. The color of a boil varies from deep red to mahogany. It is painful, tender, advances rapidly to maturity, becomes conical, and finally bursts and discharges bloody "matter." Through the opening, and filling the cavity, may be seen a piece of sloughing cellular tissue which is called the core. In from four to fifteen days, it is all expelled and the sore rapidly heals. The causes are an impure condition of the blood, which generally arises from imperfect action of the liver or kidneys.
Treatment. Spirits of turpentine applied to a boll in its earliest stage will almost always cause it to disappear; but when suppuration has commenced it should be favored by the application of poultices. Next purify the blood to prevent subsequent returns to other parts of the body. For this purpose take Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. One or two "Pleasant Pellets" each day will aid in the cure.