512 
EXTRACTS FROM GERMAN PERIODICALS. 
Alopecia areata is characterized by its occurrence in single, 
isolated patches upon the apparently healthy skin. This ex. 
tends by enlarging- its periphery, gradually increasing its cir¬ 
cumference until it embraces the whole region in complete 
baldness. The latter remains permanently, as a rule, but may 
at some future time give place to a growth of finei texture 
than the original. The aetiology is, at the most, theoretically 
laid down, and as it now stands is unsatisfactory. 
In the third form, alopecia bityrodes, shedding of the coal 
is associated with desquammation of the epithelium and itch 
ing. This loss is never compensated at any future time; it it 
permanent. 
The last variety, alopecia symptomatica, seems indigenous 
to the domestic animals. As its name indicates it is rathei 
symptomatic of another primary affection. The inducec 
baldness vanishes with the original disease. Hertwig ob 
served three cases from tetanus, morbus maculosus and over 
feeding with clover, respectively. Muller desciibes a tota 
loss of hair from overfeeding. Burmeister records the same 
as coming in the convalescent period of catarrhal fever. Th< 
therapy is to all intents and purposes useless. The autho^ 
recommends for local alopecia, 
ft 
Spts. camph., § iiss, 
Tinct. aloes, 3iiss, 
Tinct. myrrhae, 3 ij* 
Tinct. canth., 3 ss, 
M. 
Sig._To be applied bis. ind. as a spray; afterward rubbing 
dry. 
The work of Hoffman is valuable in that it presents 
view a concise collection of the literature upon the subject.- 
Repert . d. Thierhlk . Bd. 
FOOD DIGESTION AS INFLUENCED BY WATER. 
Marlot has for a long time busied himself with the stud 
of food digestion as prejudiced by the previous drinking c: 
