72 VEGETABLE PARASITES 



US the spores, and their method of germinating on 

 our bodies. The various fungous diseases had 

 been, by one dermatologist after another, classed 

 with this or that set of idiopathic diseases, accord- 

 ing to their general resemblance. When, as 

 years went by, and in one after another of them 

 the vegetable parasite was discovered by the new 

 field of inquiry being more carefully studied by 

 many busy observers, we naturally soon arrived 

 at better methods of treatment, and having learned 

 the cause, soon found means of removing it, in 

 these before so intractable complaints.' The suc- 

 cess of treatment, and the novelty of discovery, 

 brought the vegetable parasitic diseases very 

 prominently forward, not only amongst the pro- 

 fession, but also the laity, who soon learned 

 where to apply for relief, induced by the success 

 witnessed in other's cases. Thus some idea of 

 these affections has spread abroad in the commu- 

 nity, here in America, during the last ten years 

 especially. This has given capital opportunity 

 for travelling and advertising quacks to placard 

 the streets, and their temporary offices, with 

 startling and fearful pictures of these diseases, to 

 Impress the pocket and brain of their credulous 



