The Superficial Mycoses 71 



tients with a limited infection of short duration we have used roentgen ray 

 epilation to only the affected site (one or two exposures). Care should be 

 exercised that small foci of infection arc not overlooked; we USliall) examine 

 our patients several times, using filtered' ultraviolet rays. The dose of roent- 

 gen rays administered should be one-tenth higher than that used with the 



TABLE 15.— Return of Scalp Hair Follow inc. Administration of 

 Epilating Dose of Roi \ m.i \ R \is (figures based on average Endings) 



Elapsed Time, Length of Hair, 



Mo. Cm. 



2 soft down 



3 1.0 



4 1.3 



5 1.9 



6 2.7 



7 3.8 



8 . 4.4 



9 6.7 



10 7.0 



11 8.6 



five point technic. Following the treatment, a salve containing 3 per cent 

 ammoniated mercury is used and should be reapplied twice daily to the 

 entire scalp. The scalp should not be washed. After 21 days the grease 

 may be removed by soap and water and by benzene and all loose hairs 

 extracted by adhesive plaster. Negative findings from two Wood's light 

 examinations one week apart should be recorded before the patient is 

 discharged. It should be emphasized that this method is suitable only for 

 special cases of limited infection, particularly in girls for whom total epila- 

 tion of the scalp is a minor tragedy. Despite all precautions, the result may 

 be a failure, in which case three months should elapse before further ex- 

 posures are given. 



(3) Epilation by thallium salts.— It a mistake is made in the dose of 

 roentgen rays, permanent alopecia may result. A mistake in the dose of 

 thallium acetate, however, may result in the death of the patient. Several 

 instances of fatal mistakes are to be found in the literature. There is also 

 the possibility of a number of other bad effects. The method consists in the 

 oral administration of thallium acetate in a single dose of 8 mg. of the salt, 

 dissolved in a glass of water, per kilogram of body weight. The exact 

 weights of both the child and the drug should always be rechecked. There 

 is definite contraindication to the treatment in the face of illness, particu- 

 larly a renal ailment, in patients showing a disproportionate age-weight 

 ratio and in adults. The after-treatment is that described for the use ot 



