SKI!S DISEASES. 165 



skin increases in thickness, the adjacent muscular parts 

 show waste. 



Fig. 42. Elephantiasis. 



Remedy. — Usually only palliative. Laxatives, diuret- 

 ics, salines, tonics — vegetable and mineral. Iodine, pot- 

 assium iodide internally assist absorption. Mercurial or 

 iodine ointment. Iron, copper salts, arsenic for debilita- 

 ted. For doses, see pages 13 to 29. 



PRURITUS (Itching, Nerve Disturbance, Perverted 

 Sensibility), 



Is local or general, the latter form being caused prob- 

 ably by some general disturbance. It is sometimes caused 

 by parasites or other mites, but its cause is often insidi- 

 ous. It often appears suddenly and without warning. 

 Except in very mild cases, pimples, pustules, corruga- 

 tions, &c, appear, which, if rubbed or bitten, cause dis- 

 figurement, followed, after cure, by permanent blemishes. 

 The disease seems to be affected by heat, moisture, and 

 food. 



Pruritus is regarded by some authorities as identical 

 with Prurigo, but by Professor Robertson as a cutaneous 

 neurosis (nerve disturbance), occurring independently of 



