the
hand, and from here it may spread up the arm and involve considerable
area.

The injury from which it starts may be extremely insignificant,
apparently affording an opening for the introduction of the causative
factor, doubtless parasitic. Beyond a feeling of soreness there seem to
be no special subjective symptoms.

#Give the prognosis and treatment.#

The malady shows but little tendency to spontaneous cure. The frequent
or constant application of a mild antiseptic lotion, such as boric acid
and resorcin, or of a mild parasiticide ointment will generally bring
the disease gradually to an end.

#Herpes Zoster.#
(_Synonyms:_ Zoster; Zona; Shingles.)

#Give a definition of herpes zoster.#

Herpes zoster is an acute, self-limited, inflammatory disease,
characterized by groups of vesicles upon inflammatory bases, situated
over or along a nerve tract.

#Upon what parts of the body may the eruption appear?#

It may appear upon any part, following the course of a nerve; it is
therefore always limited in extent, and confined to one side of the
body. It is probably most common about the intercostal, lumbar and
supra-orbital regions. In rare instances the eruption has been observed
to be bilateral.

#Are there any subjective or constitutional symptoms?#

Yes; there is, as a rule, neuralgic pain preceding, during and following
the eruption; and in some cases, also, there may be in the beginning
mild febrile disturbance. There is also a variable degree of tenderness
and pain.

#What are the characters of the eruption?#

Several or more hyperaemic or inflammatory patches over a nerve course
appear, upon which are seated vesico-papules irregularly grouped; these
vesico-papules become distinct vesicles, of size from a pin-head to a
pea, and soon dry and give rise to thin, yellowish or brownish crusts,
which drop off, leaving in most instances no permanent trace, in others
more or less scarring. In some cases the lesions may become pustular
and, on the other hand, the eruption may be abortive, stopping short of
full vesiculation.

#What is known in regard to the nature of the disease?#

An inflamed and irritable state of the spinal ganglia, nerve tract, or
peripheral branches is directly responsible for the eruption, and this
state may be due to atmospheric changes, cold, nerve-injuries and
similar influences. The view has also been advanced that the dis