The irritated skin can be
healed by soothing applications like vaselin, and oxide of zinc.

(Pediculus Pubis).--Lice on the hair of the pubis or about the genitals.
This is the smallest parasite of the three varieties, and it attaches
itself firmly to the hair with its head buried in the follicular openings,
and it is removed with great difficulty.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Lice.--1. Ointment of mercury, blue ointment.
This is to be used frequently. It is rather unclean and may create a
severe inflammation so be careful of it.

2. Solution of corrosive sublimate, from one to four grains to one ounce
of water. This is good and can be used once or twice a day; rub thoroughly
into the parts. It will cause redness and inflammation may follow if too
much is used. It is very effective. Kerosene with an equal quantity of
balsam of peru is a good remedy.

[SKIN DISEASES 79]

BLISTER DISEASE, (Pemphigus).--This is an acute or chronic skin disease in
which there are blisters of various sizes and shapes, and these usually
occur in crops.

Symptoms.--The disease may attack any part of the body. The blisters range
from the size of a pea to a large egg. They contain at first a clear
fluid, which soon becomes cloudy and looks more or less like pus. They
last several days and then dry up. They do not rupture of themselves very
often. It is not catching.

Causes.--These are obscure and not understood. A low state of the system
is usually found.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Blister Disease.--General treatment should be
given. Arsenic is the best remedy and can be given in the form of Fowler's
solution, five drops after meals at the beginning far an adult. This
should be increased until some poisonous symptoms, such as bloating in
the face is produced.

Elixir Quinine, Iron and Strychnine is good as a tonic, one teaspoonful
after meals. Regulate the diet, give nourishing and easily digested food.

Local Treatment.--Puncture the blisters. Then put on a mild ointment like
vaselin; bran and starch baths can be given in some cases. The length of
the time of the disease is uncertain.

THE ITCH DISEASE. (Psoriasis) (not Common Itch). Definition.--This is a
chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, in which there appear upon the
skin thick, adherent, overlapping, scales of a shiny, whitish color, and
these are situated upon a reddish, slightly raised and sharply outlined
(defined) base.

Symptoms.--They begin as small reddish s