#How does pediculosis corporis differ from scabies?#

In the distribution of the eruption. The pediculi live in the clothing
and go to the skin solely for nourishment, and hence the eruption in
that condition is upon covered parts, especially those parts with which
the clothing lies closely in contact, as around the neck, across the
upper part of the back, about the waist and down the outside of the
thighs; _the hands are free_.

#State the prognosis of scabies.#

It is favorable. The disease is readily cured, and, as soon as the
parasites and their ova are destroyed, the itching and the secondary
symptoms, as a rule, rapidly disappear.

#How is scabies treated?#

Treatment is entirely external, and consists of a preliminary
soap-and-hot-water bath, an application, twice daily for three days, of
a remedy destructive to the parasites and ova, and finally another bath.

Inquiry as to others of the family should be made, and, if affected,
treated at the same time. The wearing apparel should be looked
after--boiled, baked, or sulphur-fumigated.

#What remedial applications are employed in scabies?#

Sulphur, balsam of Peru, styrax, and [beta]-naphthol, singly or
severally combined. In children, or in those of sensitive skin, the
following:--

[Rx] Sulphur. praecip., .................... [dram]iv
Balsam. Peruv., ...................... [dram]ij
Adipis,
Petrolati, ......... [=a][=a] ........ [Oz]iss. M.

And in adults, or those of non-irritable skin:--

[Rx] Sulphur, praecip., .................... [Oz]j
Balsam. Peruv., ...................... [Oz]ss
[beta]-Naphthol, ..................... [dram]ij
Adipis,
Petrolati, ... [=a][=a] ... q.s. ad .. [Oz]iv. M.

Styrax is a remedy of value and is commonly employed as an ointment in
the strength of one part to two or three parts of lard.

#Is one such course of treatment sufficient to bring about a cure?#

Yes, in ordinary cases, if the applications have been carefully and
thoroughly made; exceptionally, however, some parasites and ova escape
destruction, and consequently itching will again begin to show itself at
the end of a week or ten days, and a repetition of the treatment become
necessary.

#Does the secondary dermatitis which is always present in severe cases
require treatment?#

Only when it is unusually persistent or severe; in such cases the
various soothing applications, lotion