The Superficial Mycoses 141 



with a 1 per cent aqueous solution ol gentian violet or 1 per cent tincture 

 of iodine, particular attention being given to the inner and under surfaces 

 of the toes. 



7. One should avoid persons known, to have the disease. II a member 

 of the family is infected, one 1 should sec* that he is under treatment, that 

 he uses his own bath mat and towel, that he does not walk around in his 

 bare feet and that the 1 tul) is washed out with an antiseptic after he uses it. 



b. Public health measures. Since one cannot depend entirely on individual 

 responsibility and initiative, a number of attempts have been made to protect 

 the uninfected by measures carried out by those in authority in various 

 institutions. 



A commonly used method is to plaee a solution in a eonvenient place 

 so that persons using a swimming pool will have to walk through it in 

 passing to and from the pool. According to Claassen, sodium thiosulfate 

 (10 per cent), which has been advocated, will support the growth of fungi 

 in culture. Osborne has drawn attention to the fact that sodium thiosulfate 

 if used near swimming pools is carried into the water and neutralizes the 

 sodium hypochlorite, thus exposing the persons in the pool to bacterial con- 

 tamination. Sodium hypochlorite (1 per cent), first advocated by Osborne 

 and Hitchcock, seems to have more adherents. The solution must be 

 changed frequently (every 48 hours). Sodium hypochlorite may be pur- 

 chased from man\ r chemical houses in a 20 per cent solution and diluted 

 with water in the ratio of 20:1 for use in the pans. Tile floors should be 

 washed with a cresol solution once daily. 



Prophylaxis may be easily attained with a mild fungicidal powder, such 

 as has been mentioned. It should be placed conveniently for use after 

 the bath. 



Such a simple procedure as the daily application of a powder was advo- 

 cated for general use to prevent dermatophytosis among the armed forces. 

 Under conditions of active combat, a powder is more easily carried than 

 ointment or liquid. A preparation containing 1 per cent thymol (fungicide), 

 2 per cent salicylic acid (keratolytic) and 3 per cent boric acid (to alter 

 the pH) in talc is theoretically sound and has been found effective in 

 practice. 



In many modern schools and colleges, students found harboring an 

 active or latent fungous infection are excluded from the recreational facilities 

 of the institution until the disease has been cured. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



Vjello, L.; Keeney, E. L., and Bhoyles, E. N.: Observation on incidence ol tinea pedis 



in group <)t men entering military life, Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp. 77: HO. L945. 

 Alexander, \.: Die Trichophytie der Hande und Fiisse, Mid. Klin. 18:1550, H)22. 



