372 SKIN DISEASiE'S TREATED BY BLOOD VACCINE. 



This explains, I think, the frequent association of acne 

 with adolescence. The teeth are generally in their most 

 offensive and septic condition between fourteen and 

 twenty-one, and the blood stream is more likely to show 

 signs of intolerance at this age when an immunity has 

 not yet been established, and when the general high state 

 of nutrition of the body drives the cocci and the bacilli 

 to the skin glands, especially to the face, where the 

 circulation is probabl_v least effective. 



The occurrence of acne about the seat of election of 

 rodent ulcer is suggestive, although the ulcer is more 

 confined in its boundaries. Carbuncle also chooses some- 

 what the same ground as acne, and also furunculosis, 

 sycosis, seborrhoea, and other staphylococcic diseases. 



Allied with the staphylococcus we have a bacillus, but 

 the staphylococcus is most exuberant in its growth, and 

 the rapidity with which fresh crops of acne appear makes 

 it unlikely that the bacillus is the main cause of the 

 eruption. 



Skin nutrition and texture, and the much despised 

 diathesis must have something to do with the develop- 

 ment of acne. Certainly complexions vary, and the 

 milky and pink and white complexions, either with dark 

 or bright hair, show a wonderful amount of immunity. 

 The muddy, greasy skin is far more liable to the infection; 

 in this skin there is already a tendency to overgrowth 

 of sweat and sebaceous glands, which harbour the 

 coccus, and contain masses of sebum, etc., an excellent 

 medium for its cultivation. The directions given for the 

 obtaining and cultivating of the bacillus of acne are : — ■ 

 A thorough cleansing of the skin over a large acne 

 pustule or spot, the piercing of it with a sterile needle, or 

 glass point drawn out in a flame, the cultivation of the 

 lymph or pus obtained on a suitable medium for at least 

 forty-eight hours, and some instances for a v/eek or a 

 fortnight. The growth thus obtained is said to cause 

 an outcrop of acne pustules where rubbed into the skin 

 of a susceptible person. This has been considered proof 

 that the acne rash is the result of an inoculation of the 

 skin with what is called the acne bacillus. 



It is somewhat doubtful whether this so-called acne 

 bacillus is the real or sole cause of acne. 



