6%; scabies, 2.6%;
urticaria, 2.5%; pruritus, 2.1%; seborrh[oe]a, 2.1%; herpes simplex,
1.7%; favus, 1.7%; impetigo, 1.4%; herpes zoster, 1.2%; verruca, 1.1%;
tinea versicolor, 1%. Total: eighteen diseases, representing 81 per
cent. of all cases met with.

(These percentages are based upon statistics, public and private, of the
American Dermatological Association, covering a period of ten years. In
private practice the proportion of cases of pediculosis, scabies, favus,
and impetigo is much smaller, while acne, acne rosacea, seborrh[oe]a,
epithelioma, and lupus are relatively more frequent.)

#CONTAGIOUSNESS.#

#Name the more actively contagious skin diseases.#

Impetigo contagiosa, ringworm, favus, scabies and pediculosis; excluding
the exanthemata, erysipelas, syphilis and certain rare and doubtful
diseases.

[At the present time when most diseases are presumed to be due to
bacteria or parasites the belief in contagiousness, under certain
conditions, has considerably broadened.]

#RAPIDITY OF CURE.#

#Is the rapid cure of a skin disease fraught with any danger to the
patient?#

No. It was formerly so considered, especially by the public and general
profession, and the impression still holds to some extent, but it is not
in accord with dermatological experience.

#OINTMENT BASES.#

#Name the several fats in common use for ointment bases.#

Lard, petrolatum (or cosmoline or vaseline), cold cream and lanolin.

#State the relative advantages of these several bases.#

_Lard_ is the best all-around base, possessing penetrating properties
scarcely exceeded by any other fat.

_Petrolatum_ is also valuable, having little, if any, tendency to
change; it is useful as a protective, but is lacking in its power of
penetration.

_Cold Cream_ (ungt. aquae rosae) is soothing and cooling, and may often be
used when other fatty applications disagree.

_Lanolin_ is said to surpass in its power of penetration all other
bases, but this is not borne out by experience. It is an unsatisfactory
base when used alone. It should be mixed with another base in about the
proportion of 25% to 50%.

These several bases may, and often with advantage, be variously
combined.

#What is to be added to these several bases if a stiffer ointment is
required?#

Simple cerate, wax, spermaceti, or suet; or in some instances, a
pulverule