r the
parasite or for ova (attached to the hairs) would prevent error. (See
Pediculosis pubis.)

#What prognosis would you give in pruritus?#

In the majority of cases the condition responds to proper treatment, but
in others it proves rebellious. The prognosis depends, in fact, upon the
removability of the cause. Temporary relief may always be given by
external applications.

#How would you treat pruritus?#

With systemic remedies directed toward a removal or modification of the
etiological factors, and, for the temporary relief of the itching,
suitable antipruritic applications. In obscure cases, quinia, salophen,
lithia salts, calcium chloride, belladonna, nux vomica, arsenic,
pilocarpine, and general galvanization may be variously tried. Alkalies
prove useful in many cases.

Exceptionally, the relief furnished by external treatment is more or
less permanent.

#Name the important antipruritic applications.#

Alkaline baths; lotions of carbolic acid ([dram]j-[dram]iij to Oj), of
resorcin ([dram]j-[dram]iv to Oj), of liquor carbonis detergens
([Oz]j-[Oz]iv to Oj), and liquor picis alkalinus ([dram]j-[dram]iv to
Oj), used cautiously. One or several ounces of alcohol and one or two
drachms of glycerin in each pint of these lotions will often be of
advantage, as the following:--

[Rx] Ac. carbolici, ....................... [dram]j-[dram]iij
Gylcerinae, ........................... f[dram]ij
Alcoholis, ........................... f[oz]ij
Aquae, ......... q.s. ad .............. Oj. M.

Various dusting-powders, alone or in conjunction with the lotions.

And in some cases, especially those in which the skin is unnaturally
dry, ointments may be used, such as equal parts of lard, lanolin, and
petrolatum, to the ounce of which may be added from five to thirty
grains of carbolic acid, three to twenty grains of thymol, ten to thirty
minims of chloroform, or two to ten grains of menthol.

#What external applications are to be used in the local varieties of
pruritus?#

In _pruritus ani_ and _pruritus vulvae_, in addition to the various
applications above, a cocaine ointment, one to ten grains to the ounce,
a strong solution of the same (gr. v-xx to [Oz]j), and an ointment
containing ten to thirty minims of the oil of peppermint to the ounce;
sponging with hot water, often affords temporary relief.

In pruritus vulvae, moreover, astringent applications and injections of
zinc