, proper hygiene and tonic remedies; and, locally, removal of
the crusts and stimulation of the underlying surface with an ointment of
ammoniated mercury, ten to thirty grains to the ounce.

The following mild antiseptic lotion, which materially lessens the
tendency to the formation of new lesions, may be applied to the affected
region two or three times daily:--

[Rx] Acidi borici, ........................ [dram]iv
Resorcini, ........................... [dram]ij
Glycerinae, ........................... f[dram]ij
Alcoholis, ........................... f[Oz]j
Aquae, ........... q.s. ad ............ Oj. M.

A weak lotion of thymol, corrosive sublimate or ichthyol would doubtless
be equally effectual.

#Pemphigus.#

#What do you understand by pemphigus?#

Pemphigus is an acute or chronic disease characterized by the successive
formation of irregularly-scattered, variously-sized blebs.

#Name the varieties met with.#

Two varieties are usually described--pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus
foliaceus.

#Describe the symptoms and course of pemphigus vulgaris.#

With or without precursory symptoms of systemic disturbance, irregularly
scattered blebs, few or in numbers, make their appearance, arising from
erythematous spots or from apparently normal skin. They vary in size
from a pea to a large egg, are rounded or ovalish, usually distended,
and contain a yellowish fluid which, later, becomes cloudy or puriform.
If ruptured, the rete is exposed, but the skin soon regains its normal
condition; if undisturbed, the fluid usually disappears by absorption.
Each lesion runs its course in several days or a week.

A grave type of pemphigus is exceptionally observed in the
newborn--_pemphigus neonatorum_.

#What course does pemphigus vulgaris pursue?#

Usually chronic. The disease may subside in several months and the
process come to an end, constituting the acute type. As a rule, however,
the disease is chronic, new blebs continuing to appear from time to time
for an indefinite period.

[Illustration: Fig. 30. Pemphigus (mulatto).]

#In what respects does the severe form of pemphigus vulgaris differ from
the ordinary type?#

In the severe or malignant type the eruption is more profuse; there is
marked, and often grave, systemic depression, and the lesions are
attended with ulcerative action.

#Describe the symptoms and course of pemph