ECZEMA 469 



tinued for a time may produce inflammation of the glands. 

 The bacteria always present in the skin find favorable con- 

 ditions in an obstructed gland and soon convert it into a 

 pustule. Acne is secondary to an invasion of the hair 

 follicles and glands with parasites. (See Demodex Mange.) 



Pathology.— Small elevations appear on the skin. They 

 may be scattered or appear in groups. As the condition 

 advances a few show a change to pustular form. 



Symptoms.— Small, round elevations varying in size up 

 to that of a pea appear on above-mentioned parts of the 

 skin. Inflammatory symptoms are present and the skin 

 is quite sensitive. Small, clear vesicles appear and soon 

 become turbid, rupture and their contents dry to form a 

 scab. These scabs fall off and leave a small area denuded 

 of hair for some time. Some nodules may gradually dis- 

 appear in one to two weeks without disturbance of the skin 

 or hair over them. All stages of the disease may be present 

 at the same time. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis is good. Recovery occurs in 

 one to two weeks, either by pustular formation, rupture 

 and escape of the contents, or by gradual reduction of the 

 inflammatory process. 



Treatment. —Thoroughly cleanse the affected parts of the 

 skin with a warm alkaline solution; in the nodular stage 

 salicylic ointment (5 per cent.) may be used. As the 

 nodules become softened the contents should be squeezed, 

 after opening if necessary, and washed out with antiseptic 

 solutions. Internally the administration of Fowler's solu- 

 tion is usually beneficial. The use of tar, phenol, sulphur 

 or salicylic acid preparations is contra indicated in cases of 

 acne due to chemical irritations of the skin as they usually 

 aggravate the condition. 



ECZEMA. 



Definition. —A chronic inflammation of the skin in the 

 course of which papules, vesicles and pustules develop. 

 Rupture of these complicate the condition by causing the 

 skin to be moist and covered with crusts matted in the 



