238 DISEASES CLASS 11. 1 5. 9. 



section, gentle repeated cathartics. Lastly, the bark. Acid of 

 vitriol. Bolus Armenia?, or testacea. Antimonials. Decoc- 

 tion of interior bark of elm. 



9. Zona ignea. Shingles. This eruption has been thought a 

 species of herpes by some writers, and by others a species of 

 erysipelas. Yellow or livid vesicles appear, producing a corrosive 

 ichor, which is sometimes attended with a degree of fever. It 

 is said to infest sometimes the thorax and ribs, but its most ge- 

 neral situation is on the small of the back, over one kidney, ex- 

 tending forward over the course of one of the ureters. 



There is reason to suspect, that this also is a secondary or sym- 

 pathetic disease, as well as the preceding one; but future 

 observations are required, before it can be removed to the fourth 

 class, or diseases of association. In three patients, I have been 

 induced to believe, that the eruption on the loins was a transla- 

 tion of inflammation from the external membrane of the kidney 

 to the skin. They had for a day or two before the appearance 

 of the eruption, complained of a dull pain on the region of one 

 kidney, but without vomiting; by which it was distinguished 

 from nephritis interna, or gravel; and without pain down the 

 outside of the thigh, by which it was distinguished from sciatica. 

 In other situations the shingles may sympathize with other inter- 

 nal membranes, as in a case published by Dr. Russel (De Tabe 

 Glandulari), where the retrocession of the shingles was succeed- 

 ed by a serious dyspnoea. 



M. M. Venesection, if the pulse is strong. Calomel three or 

 four grains, very mild repeated cathartics. Poultice for a few 

 days, then cerate of lapis calami naris, as in herpes. A grain of 

 emetic tartar dissolved in a pint of water, and taken so as to empty 

 the stomach and intestines, is said much to hasten the cure; 

 compresses soaked in a saturnine solution are recommended ex- 

 ternally on the eruption; and cerate where there are ulcerations. ' 

 Desanet's Surgical Journal, Vol. II. p. 378. If this be a vicari- 

 ous disease, it should continue half a lunation; lest, on its ceas- 

 ing, the bad habits of motion of the primary disease should not 

 have been so perfectly dissevered, but that they may. recur. 



10. Jlnnulus repens. Ring-worm. A prurient eruption 

 formed in a circle, affecting children, and would seem to be the 

 work of insects, according to the theory of Linnaeus, who ascribes 

 the itch and dysentery to microscopic animalcula. These ani- 

 malcula are probably the effect, and not the cause, of these erup- 

 tions; as they are to be seen in all putrescent animal fluids. The 

 annular propagation of the ring-worm, and its continuing to en- 

 large itg periphery, is well accounted for by the acrimony of the 

 ichor or saline fluid eroding the skin in its vicinity. 



