DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 495 



pearance on the slightly reddened patches, and subsequently the 

 peculiar alteration of the hair. 



The hairs in the neighborhood of this disease are remarkable 

 for their bent and twisted shape, and resemble the fibres of hemp 

 in appearance as well as texture ; they are irregular in thickness, 

 and are broken off at variable and various distances from the in- 

 tegument, giving rise to the molh-eaten appearance so character- 

 istic of the disease. 



The crusts which form the morbid patches when the disease is 

 neglected, are composed of furfuraceous scales and diseased hairs 

 agglutinated together by the moisture which rises from the skin ; 

 they are greyish in color, and when of large size are apt to break 

 up, in consequence of the movements of the integument, into sec- 

 tions. On the surface of the crust, which is dry and harsh, the 

 tow-like fibres of the diseased hairs may generally be per- 

 ceived. 



In the early part of its course, this disease is unattended with 

 discharge of any kind, and often the absence of secretion is con- 

 spicuous throughout its entire existence. At other times, and 

 especially when neglected, the crusts give rise to considerable itch- 

 ing, and the attempts made to relieve the annoyance aggravate the 

 inflammation of the skin, and occasion discharges of ichor and pus. 

 Occasionally too, as a complication of disease dependent upon in- 

 creased inflammation, pus forms around the apertures of the fol- 

 licles and a small crop of pustules is the result. These pustules, 

 when they exist, are observed in the most active part of the 

 patches, namely, along the edge, and in this situation I have some- 

 times seen them forming a double or triple row. 



This is a disease of deranged nutrition, the cause being debility 

 of the organization, originating probably in defective innervation ; 

 this must be attributed in turn to ill care, and general lack of at- 

 tention" to cleanliness. It is a disorder to which poverty and filth 

 greatly contributes. 



// is not contagions. 



The indications in the treatment are : • ■ 



First. — To restore the defective power of the constitution. 



Second. — To restore the local power of the skin. 



These objects are to be fulfilled by similar means ; the first in- 

 4 



