2. Beta-Naphthol 1/2 dram
Resorcin 1/2 dram
Lanolin 1 ounce
Mix and apply locally.
INFLAMMATION of the Skin. (Dermatitis).--This is due to many causes. It
can come from injuries, for instance the rubbing or pressure of
ill-fitting clothes, bandages, bites of insects and from scratching.
Varieties.--Dermatitis ambustionis, (burning). This is due to excessive
heat upon the skin.
[SKIN DISEASES 63]
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Inflammation of the Skin.--Relieve the pain;
protect the parts; exclude the air. Paint the burned part with a one to
five per cent solution of cocaine, according to the severity of
inflammation. Then apply soothing lotions of equal parts of lime-water and
olive or linseed oil; cover the whole with absorbent cotton. Dusting
powder of soda bicarbonate may also be used, or common soda. In burns with
vesicles, etc., open them and then cover with carbolized oil, gauze and
adhesive to hold the dressing. The parts can be washed with a solution of
boric acid, one teaspoonful to a cup of water; then dust upon the parts
sugar of lead once or twice a day. Some use it in solution; I like the
powder better. Infusion of lobelia, one ounce to pint of hot water, is
good. Also lead and laudanum wash.
ECZEMA. (Humid Tetter-Salt Rheum-Dry Tetter). Definition.--Eczema is an
inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized at its commencement by
redness, pimples, vesicles, pustules and their combinations, with itching
and burning. It terminates in a watery or pus-like discharge with the
formation of crusts or scaling.
Varieties.--There are many varieties, red, scaly, fissured, watery looking
and hard skin.
Symptoms.--Itching is almost always a symptom of this disease. There is
more or less pouring out of liquid (serum). The dry, scaly type, and the
weeping type, may alternate with each other. There are six cardinal
symptoms; inflammation, itching, moisture, crusting, infiltration (liquid
filling of the tissues), fissuring or cracking. Dr. Fox says that nearly
one-third of all skin diseases are eczema in some of its stages or
varieties. In one kind there is red spot (macule). The skin is dry, of a
bright or dull red color, with intense itching or burning, more or less
watery swelling in the acute stage. In the chronic stage, the skin becomes
thick and covered with fine dry scales, usually in the face (Eczema
Erythematosum).
Eczema Vesiculosum. (Vesicular Eczema).--This is preceded by a feeling of
heat and irritation about the part. In a short time pinhead sized vesicles
appear. These frequently run together and form patches. They rupture
rapidly; the liquid is poured out, dries up and forms crusts. The
discharge stiffens linen, a characteristic of this variety.
Eczema Pustulosum. (Pustules). Pustular Kind.--This is nearly like the
preceding. The vesicles have pus in them from the start or develop from
the vesicles. When the pustules rupture, their contents dry up to the
thick greenish-yellow crusts. The scalp and face, in children especially,
are the favored spots for this kind. It occurs in poorly nourished
children.
[64 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Eczema Papulosum. (Papular Variety).--This is characterized by flat or
sharp pointed reddish pimples (papules), varying in size from a small to a
large pin-head. They are usually numerous, run or crowd together and form
large patches. The itching is usually very intense. This causes much
scratching, rawness and crusts. The pimples may continue as such, or
change into vesicles. In chronic cases they run together, and finally form
thick scaly patches, and may run into a scaly eczema.
Eczema Rubrum (red).--The skin looks red, raw, and "weeps." It is most
commonly found about the face and scalp in children, and the lower parts
of the legs in the old.
Eczema Squamosis. (Scaling).--This may follow any of the other varieties,
but usually follows the red and pimple (papule) variety. They are various
sized and shaped reddish patches, which are dry and more or less scaly.
Thickening is always present, also a tendency to cracking of the skin,
especially if it affects the joints. There are other varieties but these
are the most important.
RECOVERY.--Eczema has a tendency to persist and rarely disappears
spontaneously.
Causes.--Gout, diabetes, rheumatism, Bright's disease, dyspepsia,
constipation, nervous trouble, heat, cold, strong soaps, acids, alkalies,
rubbing, scratching, etc.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Eczema, Lemon or Vinegar for.--"Rub the spots with
sliced lemon. This will sometimes relieve the itching. Bathing with
vinegar water is better for some as it destroys the germs." The bowels
should be kept open, and then constitutional faults removed as the
eruption of the skin is but a local manifestation of a functional fault.
2. Eczema, Olive Oil and Powder for.--"Bathe with olive oil and sift over
the skin a powder composed of equal parts of fine laundry starch and oxide
of zinc powder." Do not bathe with water until healed.
3. Eczema, Herb Tea for.--"A good wash for eczema is made of an ounce of
bruised blood-root and yellow dock, steeped well in a pint of alcohol, and
half pint of vinegar." Apply gently to the affected parts.
4. Eczema, Potato and Camphor for.--"Make a poultice of a cold potato with
a small quantity of camphor. This is very good and relieves the trouble
very soon."
5. Eczema, Sulphur and Lard for.--"An excellent eczema cure is made by
applying a paste made of sulphur and lard to the affected parts." This is
very easily prepared, and has been known to cure many cases.
[SKIN DISEASES 65]
6. Skin Diseases, Burdock Tea a Standard Remedy for.--"Take a handful of
the freshly bruised burdock root to two quarts of water and boil down
one-half; drink from a half to one pint a day." This is considered one of
the best home remedies for skin diseases that is known and is perfectly
harmless.