THE MICROSCOPE IN PARASITIC DISEASES 

 OF THE SKIN. 



While the microscope is an indispensible aid to the diag- 

 nosis of certain parasitic diseases of the skin, it is also of great 

 valise in the examination of non-parasitic skin lesions in situ. 

 For an examination of the skin only low powers are necessary 

 with special mountings. In many cases a good bi-convex lens 

 of low power will answer the purpose. When a higher power 

 is required, the binocular microscope described by Dr. Pifford 

 of New York is to be employed. A description of this in- 

 strument is given in "Pifford on Diseases of the Skin," pub- 

 lished by MacMillan & Co. The publishers kindly furnished 

 us with a cut of this instrument. The ingenious physician can 

 take the low powers of his microscope and mount a monocular 

 after the fashion of the illustration without 

 material cost. With this instrument the 

 skin can be examined when the patient is 

 in any posture, and with much accuracy 

 and ease. In cases of eczema and psor- 

 iasis it is many times exceedingly difficult, 

 almost impossible to make a differential 

 diagnosis, but the matter is rendered much 

 more simple by the aid of the microscope. 

 There are many other skin diseases that 

 can be diagnosed by the microscope. 



It is, however, among the parasitic 

 diseases where the microscope is of most 

 value. The parasites investing the skin 

 belong both to the vegetable and animal kingdom, and are 

 called respectively vegetable and animal parasites. The dis- 

 eases due to a vegetable parasite are designed by the term 



58 



B 



