218 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOOYLOR, 
nutrition, uncleanliness, syphilitic taint, &c.), they are all 
amenable to the same treatment. We will act on the advice 
of Dr. Thompson and let the names of all these skin diseases 
be like to the limbs joined on a tree—‘‘ Work on the root and 
that subdue, then all the limbs will bow to you.” Nettlerash, 
prurigo or pruritis, or any form of skin trouble that rises in 
pimples, accompanied with itching, can all be treated by the 
tollowing plan :—A Thompsonian course once a week will do 
good by opening up the outlets for impurities ; every night or 
other night the medicated bath of burdock as recommended 
in eczema; dry, and rub in the ointment recommended for itch, 
(see index). Make a medicine such as that given for 
eczema ; ifthis does not answer try any of the blood purifiers ; 
if possible, find out the cause, and remove it if you can; 
keep the bowels and the kidneys free, and in all probability 
you will overcome these troublesome affections. 
ULCERS, 
Are open sores or excavations of the skin. They are divided 
by various names, but for our purpose we may make them 
into the two ordinary divisions, acute and chronic. ‘The first 
are generally the result of wounds, which in the healthy 
condition are healed by suppuration. The external treatment 
of this class is very simple. Keep them clean, wash with the 
healing soap and tepid water. If thereis much pus or matter 
coming from them, a few slippery elm poultices will clean 
them, then apply the healing ointment. To assist the repairing 
power of the blood take the sarsaparilla compound decoction 
or blood purifier. Some of the other class of ulcers will yield 
to this simple treatment, but there is one that is very difficult 
to heal, that is the varicose variety, which is due to an 
engorgement and weakness of the surface veins of the leg; 
usually situated on the lower part or shin bone. When of 
long standing there is usually a thickening of the surrounding 
flesh, called infiltration. The treatment must be both local 
aud constitutional. Fomentation of mugwort, rest, with the 
leg elevated, and if much inflamed, poultice (see index). The 
