Commentaries on Diseases of the Skin. Fasc. 1, with Plates (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 edition. Excerpt: ...manner as in the other varieties of the disease; but the skin reddens, soon thickens, becomes rugose, is covered with numerous chaps, and sometimes with excoriations; and the eruption is accompanied with the most distressing itching. The scales are less easily detached than in the other local varieties. When the prepuce is the part affected, it usually causes phymosis; and the least effort to uncover the glans penis is followed by a flow of blood. These varieties may be confounded with the eruption of secondary syphilis, which resembles Psoriasis; but the patches not presenting a copper-colour, and the absence of the other symptoms of syphilis, readily distinguish them. The same general treatment requisite in the other varieties of Psoriasis is necessary in these. Sponging with hot water is the best means of allaying the inflammation. The ointment of white precipitate (TJng. Hydrargyri Ammoniochloridi, P. L.) is well calculated to soften the skin and to prevent attrition. Species Hi. Psoriasis gyrata. Tortuous Psoriasis. This is the rarest form of Psoriasis. All the cases of it which I have seen have been in females. It appears chiefly upon the trunk of the body, most commonly occupying both the back and the breast. The constitutional affection which precedes the appearance of the eruption is usually less severe than in the two other species; and the aspect of the eruption is so striking as to prevent it from being confounded with them. The patches present serpentine or tortuous, or vermiform figures or rings, of greater or less magnitude (PI. 4, fig. 2, a a a); and, when closely examined, they are found to be composed of scales overlapping one another transversely; and the bands, which they form, separated by pale, superficial, reddish...