The Superficial Mycoses 157 



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29:574, L934. 

 s< ii \miii iu.. |. 1'.: Case nl extensive fatal thrush, with involvement of skin and secondarj 



infection oi the mother's breasts, \ivli. Pediat. 32:617, L915. 

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 Stovall, W. D., vnd Greeley, H. P. : Bronchomycosis: Report of 18 cases oi primarj infection 



of lungs, J. A. M. A. 91:1346, L928. 

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tattoo, |. \. \l. \. L10:1733, 1938. 

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endocarditis: Report oi case, J. A. M. A. 119:333, 1942. 



7. TINEA VERSICOLOR 



This disorder, also known as pityriasis versicolor and chromophytosis, 



is a common superficial mycosis readily recognized and treated. The 

 condition is chiefly of importance cosmetically. However, there are several 

 interesting tacts about the disease and its management. 



(a) Etiology.— The micro-organism causing tinea versicolor is known 

 as Malassezia furfur. The disease affects young adults (of both sexes) by 

 preference, but we have observed instances of infection in children and 

 in the aged. While social standing is not important, the lack of personal 

 hygiene, more common in the dispensary patient, predisposes to infection. 

 Some persons appear to be rather susceptible. Hyperhidrosis is said to pre- 

 dispose. Several members of a family may be infected. Contrary to an old 

 tradition, the disease is apparently not more common in patients with pul- 

 monary tuberculosis. The usual physical examination of such persons prob- 

 ably led to the discovery of the disease, and its equally frequent inhabita- 

 tion of the skins of other persons was not realized. While the disease is 

 probably not more common in the summer than in the winter, patients with 

 the disorder are usually seen in the warm weather, when its presence is 

 more evident. 



(b) Clinical data. 



(1) The usual symptoms.— The disease manifests itself by scaly macules 

 and patches starting from barely visible lesions in single or multiple foci. 

 The color varies from that of the skin to dark brown. It is said that the usual 

 color is yellowish fawn, but the shade varies with the season. During the 

 winter the color may be that of the skin or light brown. In the summer, 

 particularly toward the end, the color becomes darker and may be of a 

 chocolate shade. Usually no inflammation is evident. The surface of the 

 affected skin is sometimes noticeably scab', but often a scratch is necessary 

 to dislodge the scales. Cases of follicular involvement arc rarely observed. 

 In such cases the lesions remain small and may become slightly elevated. 



