750 CATARRHAL OR ECZEMATOUS INFLAMMATIONS. 



chronic cases, I have had good results from the exhibition, 

 twice daily in water, of an ounce of Donovan's solution ; this, 

 after a few days, to be alternated with moderate quantities of 

 dilute sulphuric acid and sulphate of iron. 



Both general and local treatment require to be persevered 

 with for some time, and will be greatly assisted by a carefully 

 arranged regimen and adaptation of other local conditions 

 favourable to general and local health. 



D. CATARRHAL OR ECZEMATOUS INFLAMMATIONS. 



This form of disturbed activity in the cutaneous textures is 

 admittedly common ; but notwithstanding the frequency of its 

 occurrence, when spoken of as a particular manifestation of 

 catarrhal action, much difference of opinion has been expressed 

 with respect to the limiting of the term ' catarrhal' 



Eczema, which may be taken as the true type of cutaneous 

 catarrh, is regarded as an inflammatory action of the dermal 

 tissues, with exudation and cell-production extending into the 

 superficial layer of the true skin, the rete-malpighii, and to the 

 epidermis, accompanied by an eruption of papules, vesicles, or 

 pustules, which rupturing, discharge a fluid disposed to collect 

 in crusts, and cause matting of the hair, attended with much 

 itching ; and when these crusts are removed by rubbing, there 

 is a tendency to ichcration and chronicity. 



In this form of inflammatory action there is not merely 

 hypersemia with exudation into the rete and epidermic layers, 

 but we have a distinct discharge, an exudation on the surface 

 of the skin with changes in the corium, and a tendency to 

 pus-formation. The eruption, when observed, which it is not 

 in every case, is of small, closely-packed vesicles, which burst, 

 exude a material, agglutinate the hairs and form crusts. This 

 eruption is characterized also by its disposition to appear in 

 successive crops, and by the frequency with which the matter 

 exuded is sero-purulent. 



Anatomical Features. — The anatomy of this, which seems 

 true catarrh of the skin, consists in swelling and upheaval, 

 from the presence of fluid, of the cells and scales of the 

 epidermis ; this fluid has been conveyed to the superficial layer 

 of the epidermis, the elevation of which constitutes the vesicles, 

 by the agency of cell-structures, and is originally the material 



