488 DISEASES OF THE SKIN 



Balsam of Peru is also fatal to the acariis. Paint the part affected 

 and leave it on for one night. 



SEBORRHGEA. 

 This condition is common amongst Europeans in the Tropics. 

 It occurs especially about the chest. 

 Sulphur ointment about 5 per cent, will clear it up. 



SKIN PIGMENTS. 



Skin pigment is a mixture of black, yellow and red pigments. 



A "white" skin may average a mixture of pigments as follows; 

 black, 8; yellow, 9; red, 50; white or absence of pigment, t,t, per cent. 



A "black" skin mav average a mixture as follows: black, 68; 

 yellow, 2 ; red, 26; white or absence of pigment, 4 per cent. 



These tints can be obtained by blending them on a rotatory disc. 



SPOROTRICHOSIS. 



There are subcutaneous nodules ^hich soften in two to three 

 months, forming abscesses discharging a greyish yellow pus. 



The disease is caused by eight species or more of the fungus 

 Sporotrichum. This fungus is readily cultured on Sabouraud's 

 glucose, this being the best means of differentiating the disease from 

 Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Glanders and Blastomycosis. 



The condition is ver}- chronic and requires vigorous treatment. 



Puncture the nodules in the early stages and inject i per cent, of 

 iodine solution. Give iodides internally in all cases in large doses. 



The disease rapidly disappears under iodine treatment. 



Appl\- antiseptic dressings to ulcers. Operative surgical measures 

 are not necessary. 



SYPHILIS. 



This is very prevalent in all its phases. It should not be confused 

 with frambcx'sia iro]3ica. Treat as in luirope. 



TATTOOING (tattoo -. marking). 



The formation of indelible skin marks resulting from the insertion 

 of pigments into slight or deep wounds. The term " tattoo " is also 

 applied to the skin fu.ri'ows or "keloid" so commonh- seen in African 

 natives. Tattooing is usually intended to be a permanent form of 

 decoration, an advancement on the "painting" of uncivilized peoples. 

 Extensive tattooing is very painful and recjuires \ears to complete 

 elaborate designs as little can be done at a time. 



Sometimes several weeks are required for Avounds to heal; blood 

 poisoning and even death has resulted from the process. 



The designs seen amongst Europeans and Asiatics probablv come 

 from the Japanese, amongst whom it was introduced over 300 years 

 ago. Charcoal and vanilla are the most common pigments. 



