The Superficial Mycoses 73 



roentgen rays. Thallium epilation has been particularly recommended For 

 the feebleminded and lor those to whom the services ol a trained roentgen 

 technician arc 1 not available. It should again he mentioned, however, that 

 the method is potentially dangerous, -and one niav question whether it 

 should ever he used in the treatment ol tinea capitis. 



(j) Treatment ok associated cutaneous lesions.— The patient should 

 always be inspected lor concomitant lesions. If any evidence ol them is 

 found, the use of an ointment containing 5 per cent ammoniated merenrv 

 or 0.25 per cent anthralin (dihidroxy-anthranol) will usually be sufficient. 



(k) Home care.— The 1 following outline in mimeographed form is given 

 to the parents of patients with scalp ringworm coming to the New York 

 Hospital. 



(1) The disease is contagious to other children. Because of this, bring to the clinic all 

 Other children in the family. They should he examined every three weeks even if will, 

 until there is no more ringworm in the household. The patient should not go to the 

 movies or barber shop and must not he sent to camp or plav indoors with other chil- 

 dren. He may plav outdoors (with the scalp covered) provided an adult is present and 

 no wrestling or games with personal contact are played. Please live up to these rules 

 and help to stamp out this disease. As a precaution, any children in the family who are 

 well should be cautioned against using the patient's comb, brush, hat or cap and 

 should not sleep in the same bed with the patient. You should also rub through their 

 scalps every night the salve which you will be given. 



(2) The infection is deep in the hair and cannot be cured until the infected hair 

 comes out. Sometimes x-ray treatment is necessarv and sometimes not. The doctor will 

 decide what treatment is best. 



(3) You can help a lot in curing the patient by bringing the patient to the clinic at 

 the appointed time and by following these directions. 



(4) Rub in the salve, thoroughly, to all the areas outlined by the pencil. The re- 

 mainder of the scalp should also be treated. Do this twice daily, morning and night. 



(5) Do not wash the scalp with soap and water. This tends to spread the infection. 

 The excessive accumulation of salve may be removed with mineral oil and absorbent 

 cotton twice weekly. 



(6) Make several linen skullcaps so the head can always he covered— even at night. 

 Boil the caps for 10 minutes and change at least once daily. 



(7) One type of ringworm is spread by infected pets, such as kittens and pups. 

 If any animal pets are in contact with the patient, do not give the animal away 

 or allow the animal his freedom so that other children may be exposed. The fluores- 

 cence test will decide if any infection is present. 



Careful attention to directions will bring earlier cure and prevent infection of 

 other children. 



(1) Prophylaxis.— The main consideration is to stamp out the resistant 

 forms of the disease. Since these are usually spread by contact of one child 

 with another, detection of all infected scalps is most desirable. The follow- 

 ing precautions are important. 



1. The medical examination before admittance to school should always 



