SKIN DISEASES, 163 



a straw-colored, sticky fluid. Most of the pustules emerge 

 the first week ; a few come later. They have dark-col- 

 ored, somewhat persistent scabs, and when healed leave a 

 temporarily indented scar. 



Fig. 41. Ecthyma. 



The disease is probably caused by disturbed nutrition 

 and particular as well as general debility. The parasites 

 sometimes found in the running pustules are probably ac- 

 cidental deposits from the air. 



Remedy. — Laxative salines relieve gastro-intestinal or 

 other irritants. Exercise further hastens the removal of 

 waste products. Digestible, rather laxative diet. A mild 

 dose of aloes may be followed by 2 or 3 drams of sulphate 

 of soda or magnesia, 2 or 3 times a day in drinking wa- 

 ter; also, with the salines or separately, 2 to 4 fluid 

 drams of dilute sulphuric acid. 



Mineral acids, iron salts, bitters, arsenic, act as anti- 

 septics and alteratives. Pustules treated by water dress- 

 ing, boric acid, zinc oxide ointment. Isolate and disin- 

 fect, as the disease is sometimes contagious. 



For doses, see pages 13 to 29. 



PSORIASIS (Scaly Inflammation), 



Has two forms, the local and the general. The latter 

 is distinct, and is usually associated with considerable con- 

 stitutional disturbance. Both forms, in fact, are so dis- 

 tinct that they are not likely to be mistaken for others. 



