The Superficial Mycoses 97 



forms ol treatment and may soon recur il preventive therapy is abandoned. 

 (f) Treatment.— Against the ordinary Form ol the disease (due to E. 

 inguinale ), one ol the following topical applications may be used. 



1. Salicylic acid, 3 per cent and precipitated sulfur 6" per cent in equal 



parts ot lanolin (hydrous wool fat) and petrolatum. It is advisable to 

 begin with this concentration, but if on the next visit there is no evidence 

 of irritation, the strength of both drugs may be doubled. With nightly 

 applications of this ointment the patient is usually cured in about three 

 weeks. 



2. Resorcinol, 3 to 12 per cent in lotion of zinc oxide, is advocated by 

 Wise. The peeling effect of the resorcinol is tolerated better in this medium 

 than in a grease. 



.3. Compound ointment of benzoic aeid (Whitfield's ointment) may be 

 used, with 3 per cent salicylic aeid and 6 per cent benzoic aeid. If there 

 is no cutaneous reaction, the strength of the ingredients may be cautiously 

 increased. 



It is inadvisable to use chrysarbbin or thymol in this location unless pre- 

 vious medication is unavailing. When there is marked inflammatory reac- 

 tion, soothing applications should first be applied. A 1 per cent aqueous 

 solution of gentian violet (methylrosanilin) may be painted on the affected 

 skin. If the infection is still present after the inflammatory reaction has 

 subsided, one of the aforementioned prescriptions may be used. There is 

 no indication for the use of roentgen or ultraviolet rays. We have never 

 seen any benefit from the therapeutic use of trichophytin. 



The treatment of an infection due to T. gvpseum or to T. purpureum has 

 been considered in the following section on dermatophytosis. 



Intertrigo of the groin due to M. albicans may also be confused; its 

 treatment is discussed under moniliasis. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



Mehcer, S. T., and Fahbeh, G. J.: Epidemic of ringworm due to Epidermophyton floccosum 



(inguinale'. Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 32:62. 1935. 

 Win i wis. C. M.: Dermatophytid complicating tinea cruris. Arch. Dermat. l\ Syph. 22:b37. 



1930. 



5. DERMATOPHYTOSIS (DERMATOMYCOSIS, INCLUDING 

 ONYCHOMYCOSIS) 



The term dermatophytosis is commonly used in this country to refer 

 to a superficial fungous infection of intertriginous or Hat areas ol skin. We 

 here include under this heading tinea pedis, secondary lesions acquired 

 by contact with lesions elsewhere on the body, particularly on the hands 



