DVSIDROSIS EXFOLIATIVA 467 



Its original home was the West Indies and Tropical America 

 (30° N. to 30° S.). It was brought to Loanda, West Africa, from Rio 

 de Janeiro about 1872. Stanley's expedition probably carried it across 

 Africa to the East Coasr, 1895, thence to India, 1899, by the 4th Bombay 

 Infantry. 



These parasites attack man, wild and domestic animals, especially 

 the pig. They live in dry sandy soil ; when impregnated the female 

 burrows into the skin of a warm-blooded animal, preferably in man 

 about the feet; the abdomen now swells enormously until it is as large 

 as a small pea, the posterior segment blocking the opening through 

 which the eggs are expelled ; the eggs become larva?, cocoons, pupje 

 and imagos in eight to ten da}-s. 



The symptoms are itching, burning and throbbing, pyogenic 

 infection, suppuration and ulceration when the parasite is thrown out. 



Complications, such as phagedena, gangrene and tetanus, may 

 result as with all unclean wounds. 



TREATMENT. 



Keep the floors free from dust. Avoid walking barefooted, dust 

 socks and boots with iodoform, choose healthy "steward" boys, use 

 cyllin upon the floors, extract the parasite with a clean needle when 

 first felt, and touch the site with tincture of iodine. 



DYSIDROSIS EXFOLIATIVA. 



A continuous and excessive perspiration of certain parts, usually 

 the palms, resulting in flaky exfoliation of the epidermis. 

 A trip to the hills will usually clear up the condition. 



ECZEMA. 

 DEFINITION. 



A catarrhal inflammation of the skin, originating without visible 

 external irritation, characterized by serous exudation in some stages 

 of its evolution (Morris). 



SYMPTOMATOLOGY. 



It seems to rise spontaneously; has no regional limitations; has no 

 definite course, and too often defies all attempts of the medical 

 attendant to clear it up. There are erythematous lesions, papules,, 

 vesicles which when ruptured discharge a secretion that stiffens linen, 

 later crustation and desquamation may predominate in turn. Itching 

 is often unbearable, but constitutional disturbances are slight. 

 Scratching, which it is exceedingly difficult to resist, may lead to 

 pyogenic infection and ulceration with enlargement of the proximal 

 lymphatic glands. 



