from six
months to one year to cure it. These facts are stated so that parents
may not become discouraged.

The first thing to do is to cut the hair as close to the scalp as
possible, wherever the ringworm is, and for about an inch outside, and
all around it. The entire scalp should be thoroughly washed three times
a week. The scales should be kept soft by the use of carbolic soap.

The hair should not be brushed at all, because brushing the hair may
spread the disease to other parts of the scalp. Every child with
ringworm of the scalp should wear a cap of muslin or one lined with
paper, so that others may not be infected. These caps can be burned when
dirty and new ones made. One of the best remedies to apply to the
affected area is the following: Bichloride of mercury, 2 grains; olive
oil, 2 teaspoonfuls; kerosene, 2 teaspoonfuls. This is rubbed in every
day until the parts are sore and tender. It is a good plan to apply this
mixture to the entire scalp every fourth day, to guard against other
parts becoming infected. It is not necessary to rub it in when using it
where there is no ringworm.

When the scalp becomes sore from the application it can be stopped for a
day or two, or until better; then begin again and repeat the treatment
right along. If the kerosene in the above mixture is objected to, a very
good mixture is bichloride of mercury, 2 grains, and tincture of iodine,
1 ounce. This may be rubbed vigorously enough to produce a rash. If the
disease shows a tendency to spread under this treatment it is best to
apply the latter mixture to the entire scalp.

Ringworm on any other part of the body is effectually treated by
applying tincture of iodine. It should be painted on every day until the
skin begins to peel, when the ringworm will disappear with the skin.

ECZEMA

Eczema is the most important skin disease of babyhood. It is probably
the most frequent skin disease of infancy. Any baby may develop eczema.
There are, however, some babies who seem to be very susceptible to it.
The reason of this susceptibility seems to be due to the natural
tenderness, or delicacy, of the skin. These children, because of the
extreme sensitiveness of the skin, develop an eczema from a very slight
degree of external irritation, or a trifling disturbance of digestion.
Children of rheumatic or gouty parents are more liable to be victims of
eczema than are others. Eczema of the face is quite common in children
who are appar