nflammation, and is rarely very itchy; eczema is diffused,
usually involves other parts of the face, and itching is an annoying
symptom.

#State the general prognosis of eczema.#

The disease is, under favorable circumstances, curable, some cases
yielding more or less readily, others proving exceedingly rebellious.
The length of time to bring about a result is always uncertain, and an
opinion on this point should be guarded.

#Upon what would you base your prognosis in the individual case?#

The extent of disease, its duration and previous behavior, the
removability of the exciting and predisposing causes, and the attention
the patient can give to the treatment.

In eczema involving the lips, face, scrotum, and leg, and especially
when this last-named exhibits a varicose condition of the veins, a cure
is effected, as a rule, only through persistent and prolonged treatment.

#Does eczema ever leave scars?#

No. Upon the legs, in long-continued cases, more or less pigmentation
usually remains.

#How is eczema treated?#

As a rule, eczema requires for its removal both constitutional and
external treatment.

Certain cases, however, seem to be entirely local in their nature, and
in these cases external treatment alone will have satisfactory results.

#What general measures as to hygiene and diet are commonly advisable?#

Fresh air, exercise, moderate indulgence in calisthenics, regular
habits, a plain, nutritious diet; abstention from such articles of food
as pork, salted meat, acid fruits, pastry, gravies, sauces, cheese,
pickles, condiments, excessive coffee or tea drinking, etc. As a rule,
also, beer, wine, and other stimulants are to be interdicted.

#Upon what grounds is the line or plan of constitutional treatment to be
based?#

Upon indications in the individual case. A careful examination into the
patient's general health will usually give the cue to the line of
treatment to be adopted.

#Mention the important remedies variously employed in the constitutional
treatment.#

_Tonics_--such as cod-liver oil, quinine, nux vomica, the vegetable
bitters, iron, arsenic, malt, etc.

_Alkalies_--sodium salicylate, potassium bicarbonate, liquor potassae,
and lithium carbonate.

_Alteratives_--calomel, colchicum, arsenic, and potassium iodide.

_Diuretics_--potassium acetate, potassium citrate, and oil of copaiba.

_Laxatives_--the various salines, aperient spring waters, castor oil,
casca