The Superficial Mycoses L39 



ol the serious consequences which sometimes occur. At times one en- 

 counters persons who apparently have natural immunity, which may per- 

 sist through life. Even those' with interdigital maceration ol the feet are 

 frequently unconcerned or ignorant . regarding the actual or potential 

 presence ol infection. Because ol the ignorance or carelessness of the 

 majority of uninfected persons or ol those with latent involvement, certain 

 measures to enhance protection to the public have been promulgated. It 

 ma\ again he mentioned that the chronic type of deniiatophvtosis (T. 

 purpureum) may he overlooked. 



The measures to he discussed are perhaps more generally necessary for 

 patients who are in a state ol remission (the largest percentage) and for 

 those who have been cured of an attack of dermatophytosis. Apparent 

 immunity sometimes follows a severe attack, hot more frequently no im- 

 munity is conferred. We believe that cure of the chronic form of dermato- 

 phytosis is rarely accomplished and that relapse after an apparent cure 

 is more common than reinfection. 



Certain hygienic rules should be applied in the treatment of every 

 patient with dermatophytosis. He should be made conscious of his re- 

 sponsibility to other members of his family and to those who use the same 

 locker room, shower bath or gymnasium, whether at college, at a social 

 club or at the less personal Turkish bath or sandy beach. The following 

 discussion covers a few oi the many points. 



(1) Patients apparently cured.— These patients should receive the bene- 

 fit of cultural studies. If results are negative, a prophylactic powder should 

 be dusted on the skin after a daily bath, the skin having been carefully 

 wiped dry. This treatment should be continued indefinitely. 



Thymol 1 per cent 



Salicylic acid 2 per cent 



Boric acid 3 per cent 



Purified talc q.s. 



(2) Patients under treatment.— 1. The shoes, slippers and other footwear 

 should be sponged out every few weeks with a 10 per cent solution of 

 formalin. They should not be worn for 24 hours after an application in 

 order that contact dermatitis may be avoided. Henderson and also Ayres, 

 Anderson and Youngblood have found formaldehyde vapor an effective 

 means of fumigation. 



2. Cotton socks worn by patients with tinea pedis should be boiled for 

 10 minutes or immersed for half an hour in a 1:1,000 solution of bichloride 

 of mercury. They may then be washed with soap and water or sent to the 

 laundry. Woolen and silk stockings may be ruined by boiling, but the use 

 of formaldehyde vapor in a box will he found effective. 



3. The bathtub used by a patient with dermatophytosis should be washed 



