If itching is pronounced, remove crusts and scabs after soaking with olive oil, dust borax, finely powdered on the surface. If the itching is not controlled in twenty minutes, wipe off the borax with a very oily cloth (using olive oil), and then apply a little solution of carbolic acid (made by adding a half teaspoonful of carbolic acid to a pint of hot water). If this does not allay the itching, wipe it off thoroughly with the oiled cloth, and rub in the tar ointment made of equal parts of "pix liquida" and olive oil. After the itching ceases, treat as directed according to the variety existing. Itching often disappears after a good saline cathartic has acted—Rochelle salts, solution of magnesia citrate, or phosphate of soda. Scratching must be avoided. In the case of children it is prevented by putting mittens of muslin on the hands.
The best cathartic for young children is a teaspoonful of castor oil. Carbolic-acid solution must not be used on them. The folds and creases of their skin must be kept dry and powdered with borated talcum. A great point in the treatment of all eczema is to avoid the use of water, and to substitute oiling with olive oil and wiping off for the usual washing of the affected area.
BALDNESS AND DANDRUFF.—Baldness is commonly caused by seborrhea of the scalp, an affection probably due to a microbe, and consisting of an inflammation of the skin, with great increase of dandruff of a thick, greasy variety. Sometimes it appears as a thick film, not only covering the scalp, but also the forehead and back of the neck. The greasy substance should be removed with olive oil or vaseline, and the scalp treated with ointment of ammoniated mercury, four per cent strength. Shampoos with tar-soap suds should be given once in four or five weeks, and the hair should not be wet with water between the shampoos. The hair must be arranged by combing, the brush being used to smooth the surface of the hair only. Deep and repeated brushing does great damage, which is equalled only by the frequent washing some ill-advised sufferers employ. Massage of the scalp is useless to control seborrheic eczema, which is practically always present in these cases.
Tight hats are sometimes a cause of baldness. The lead used in the preparation of the "sweat leather" of hats is said to be a cause of loss of hair over the temples. When once killed, hair can rarely be made to grow again. Early treatment of seborrhea is the best preventive of baldness.
The baldness occurring during an attack of syphilis, when the hair falls out in round patches, is treated and often relieved by antisyphilitic remedies (see p. [210]).
FOOTNOTES:
[9] Caution. Poisonous.
CHAPTER III
Rheumatism and Kindred Diseases