The Superficial Mycoses 47 



species of Fungi are working together or in which they arc causing entirel) 

 independent infections. 



In our discussion of ringworm we shall follow conventional lines, with 

 some variations which seem indicated. We believe that the ideal approach 

 is etiologic (according to Sabouraud), and we have tried to correlate 

 this point of view with the time-honored division into clinical groups. It 

 is our opinion that an exposition of the characteristics and habits of such 

 a fungus as T. purpureum will be helpful, simplifying rather than confus- 

 ing the subject. Dowding and Orr described three clinical types of T. 

 gvpseum; this seems to be another step in the right direction. Analysis of 

 data compiled from the study of specimens from a particular locality is 

 also valuable. Fowle and Georg reported on inflammatory infections in 

 patients exposed to ringworm in cattle. They found that 14 of 25 cases of 

 deep suppurative ringworm were caused by faviform Trichophyta. 



We find it convenient to divide ringworm into five regional varieties, 

 keeping in mind that a patient may have more than one variety at the 

 same time. Table 12 indicates the predominant micro-organism of each. 



TABLE 12.— Types of Ringwobm Infection 

 Diagnosis Organism 



Tinea capitis Microspora 



Tinea barbae Variable 



Tinea glabrosa Variable 



Tinea cruris E. cruris 



Dermatophytosis T. gypseum 



( Onychomycosis ) and 



T. purpureum 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



Fowle, L. P., and Georg, L. K.: Suppurative ringworm contracted from cattle, Arch. Dermat. 



& Syph. 56:780, 1947. 

 Lewis, G. M., and Hopper, M. E.: Concurrent, combined and consecutive fungous infections 



of skin: Cultural experiences, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 47:27, 1943. 

 Muskatblit, E.: Combined fungous infections: Beport of six cases with review of 36 cases 



from literature, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 44:631, 1941. 



1. TINEA CAPITIS 

 (Ringworm of the Scalp, Including Favus) 



Tinea capitis is a superficial fungous infection observed mainly in chil- 

 dren before the age of puberty. In certain forms, the infection may persist 

 into adult life, but it is unusual for the disease to appear then for the first 

 time. The condition is characterized by loosening and partial loss of scalp 

 hair in patches, breaking off of the infected hair, which loses its luster, and 



