TINEAZIMBRICATA {TOKELAU) 



2067 



produced by a stone thrown into a pool of water, and when the 

 eruption starts from many points, as is often the case owing to auto- 

 infection, it is as if a shower of stones had fallen in the pond, and 

 many systems of spreading rings are produced which intersect each 

 other in various directions, and give rise to a more complex pattern. 

 The patches extend at the rate of a quarter to half an inch a week. 

 In a well-marked, advanced 

 case of the disease the skin 

 of practically the whole 

 body is covered with round 

 patches, each of which 

 presents several concentric, 

 not inflamed, scaly rings. 

 The scales are flaky, re- 

 sembling tissue paper, of 

 large size — up to half an 

 inch in length — ^dry, of a 

 dirty greyish or brownish 

 colour, and slightly curled. 

 The largest scales are 

 generally found on the 

 back. Each scale has a 

 free border, and is firmly 

 attached by the opposite 

 side; the free border of 

 each scale is towards the 

 centre of the circle, while 

 the attached border is 

 towards the periphery. If 

 the scales are removed, 

 Tings of concentric circular 

 cdark lines remain visible, 

 :a quarter to half an inch 

 :apart. The number of 

 irings forming the patch 

 varies; as many as eight 

 and ten may be present 

 in the same patch. The Fig. 8i7.~Tinea Imbricata. 



•eruption may spread to 



any part of the body except the scalp. Though several authors 

 state that the eruption never affects the face or axilla, and rarely 

 the palms and soles, it is often observed in such situations. The 

 nails may be affected and become much thickened, with rough 

 surface and deep cracks. Scrapings examined in liq. potassae 

 show the fungus. The fungus never invades the hair follicles. 

 The general health is not much affected, but the patients complain 

 -of the disfigurement and of the unbearable pruritus. The pru- 

 ritus greatly increases apparently if the patient is given certain 

 diets — for instance, dry-fish diet. In the hot season the pruritus is 



