The Superficial Mycoses 155 



paronychia and onychia and arc also sometimes effective in the treatment 

 ol perleche. The usual dose is 90 roentgens administered without filtration 

 once weekly for four to six treatments. 



(5) Treatment with iodides.— We have had limited experience in the 



administration of potassium iodide by mouth in the treatment of the local- 

 ized forms of moniliasis. In some instances we have given the medication 

 to the point of evidence of intolerance. Our results, however, have not been 

 conclusive, and we have not observed any ernes. Lugol's solution diluted 

 one-hall with water is a nonirritating application which we have used suc- 

 cessfully in the treatment ol oral thrush as well as in other types of monilia- 

 sis. In an apparently hopeless ease of the systemic type of moniliasis ob- 

 served b\ MacKee, M. albicans was isolated from the skin, gastrointestinal 

 tract and sputum. Treatment by topical applications of gentian violet to- 

 gether with daily inhalations of ethyl iodide according to the method of 

 Swart/, resulted in marked clinical improvement. When last observed, the 

 patient was in excellent condition. 



(6) Vaccine, therapy. —There are not many reports in the literature re- 

 garding the efficacy of this form of therapy. Sulzberger and Wise and later 

 Kerr, Pascher and Sulzberger reported successful quantitative intracu- 

 taneous therapeutic desensitizations with Trichophyton and Monilia ex- 

 tracts, alone and in combination. Olah tried autovaccine therapy without 

 success in cases of onychia and paronychia. 



In a series of 48 patients, we used intracutaneous injections of oidio- 

 mycin. The patients received from six to 44 injections, the average num- 

 ber being 11. The vaccine was administered in dilutions of 1:1,000 to 

 1:500, 1:100 and 1:50, beginning with the more dilute and proceeding to 

 the more concentrated doses. The patients were given a bland applica- 

 tion for topical use, for the most part a colored petrolatum. No absolute 

 cures were noted, but there was an apparent improvement in the condition 

 of a few of the patients. In the great majority of cases no improvement 

 was noted. In no case was there any harmful complication, such as an 

 exacerbation of the eruption or a focal reaction. 



(7) Other measures.— When the infection is severe, attention to the gen- 

 eral health and measures to build up bodily resistance, such as vitamin 

 therapy, a nutritious diet and added rest, may be of primary importance. 



In the treatment of Monilia infection of the nail the patient should be 

 told to avoid soaking the hands in water, particularly with soap, to avoid 

 the peeling of unwashed vegetables and to dry the skin carefully after 

 washing the hands. If possible, a housewife should arrange to do all the 

 scrubbing or washing at one time of the day. Roentgen therapy may be 

 used. A 1 per cent aqueous solution of gentian violet may be applied at 



