ACAEUS SCABIEL 47 



febrile eruptions of vesicles and pustules. Hence the medical 

 profession was divided into two great camps, one of the opponents 

 of this method (Hebra, for example), and the other of its sup- 

 porters (Volz, &c.), who, recognising its great value, endeavoured 

 to improve it by modifications. We must, at the same time, take 

 into consideration that this method cannot be equally well 

 carried out anywhere. It appears to be best adapted for strictly 

 disciplined military hospitals. In the French regimental hospitals 

 the patients are rubbed in the bath for three quarters of an hour 

 with seventy grammes of soft soap, and after the bath for a quarter 

 of an hour with Helmerich's ointment ; this is repeated in a few 

 hours, and followed by a cleansing bath. 



Hardy's rapid cure experienced a modification from Fronmiiller, 

 of Fiirth, who first introduced it into Germany. According to 

 him, sulphur is the principal agent in Helmericlr's ointment; 

 whilst Volz, supported by my experiments, considers the carbonate 

 of potash as the principal agent. The former says that the com- 

 mon English itch-ointment may also he employed in the rapid 

 cure. The principal point is that the rubbings in should be 

 effected with perseverance, energy, and with especial stress upon the 

 favorite habitations of the mites, for which purpose the patient 

 must be assisted by the nurse. Fronmiiller allows the ointment 

 to remain adhering to the skin for an hour, during which the 

 patient may remain sitting in a woollen coverlet. Then follows 

 the cleansing bath and the dismissal. Any patches of eczema 

 heal of themselves within forty-eight hours. As, according to 

 Fischer, of Cologne, Fronmiiller's method does not furnish suffi- 

 ciently good results, he recommends the following method, which 

 is also extolled by Keyl, and less celebrated by Schillingen (who 

 once saw a relapse after it, and once agitation and fainting during 

 the treatment). 1, a short soaping with ^ij of green soap; 2, a 

 bath for an hour at 27 28 K,. (92 96 F.) ; 3, after careful 

 drying, rubbing in with caustic potash (^/3 of potash is heated 

 with ^iv vj of water, and rubbed with a ball of tow into the 

 whole body of the patient, with the exception of the face, and 

 especially into the extremities, for J f of an hour, by gloved 

 nurses) ; 4, a short soaping in a tepid bath ; and, 5, general cold 

 shower bath. Kiichler, of Darmstadt, praises this process. 



Lastly, one of the warmest defenders of the quick cure is Volz, 

 who saw no relapse in thirty-two cases. According to him, the 

 action of the treatment upon the skin is as follows : Most of 



