CHLOROSIS.—In chlorosis aloes is usu ally combined with iron: the pill of aloes and iron of the U. S. P. It is best, however, not to use this pill, owing to the constipating effect of the preparation of iron utilized in it. The pyrophos phate of iron or dialyzed iron is to be preferred.
AMENORRTICEA.—When this condition is due to anaemia a pill of aloes and pyro phosphate of iron is of great value. In uncomplicated cases the pill of aloes and myrrh is to be preferred, the congestive influence of the active drug tending greatly to facilitate physiological men struation.
HAMORRHOIDS.—Aloes is said by some to be valuable in this disorder, especially when due to general relaxation of the vascular system, the hemorrhoidal veins bearing the brunt of the latter.
ALOPECIA.—From Gr., ai.(:),IyiE„ fox.
Definition.—Partial or general falling of the hair while the pathological proc ess is in progress.
Varieties. — Alopecia may be physio logical or be due to an acute or chronic general morbid state. It may be con genital or occur as a consequence of old age. Senile alopecia, When occurring in younger individuals, without apparent lesion, is recognized as premature alo pecia.
Pathological alopecias, due to a gen eral morbid condition, may be acute or chronic.
The acute form presents itself espe cially during the recovery from scarlet fever, scarlatinoid erythema, small-pox, typhoid fever, and child-birth. Certain forms of rapid alopecia are due to un known causes of nervous origin.
Neurotic alopecia is a rare affection. Two varieties are to be noted. The par tial neurotic alopecia that occurs in the area of distribution of a nerve after an injury of that structure is occasionally seen. General and complete alopecia from neurotic causes is even less com mon. In almost every case a severe nervous shock precedes the falling of the hair. Illustrated ease. William S. Got then (fied. Record, Aug. 21, '97).
There are two distinct forms: 1. Occip ital baldness, which is common in young people, begins over the occiput, extend ing slowly, is rarely contagious, and is curable. 2. Schorrlurk alopecia (of Bate man) which appears in adult and middle life. The original area is succeeded by
secondary patches at some distance. It is due to a microbic infection of the seborrhwie glands, and is but slightly contagious. M. Sabouraud (Jour. des I'raticiens, Sept. 29, 1900).
The chronic variety may be due either to want of care of the hair; bad cos metics; heavy hats; poor general hy giene; lack of sleep; excesses; poor food; poor constitution; arthritism; struma; chronic poisoning (mercury); anemia and chlorosis; diabetes; phthisis; cancer; syphilis; leprosy; in the two latter with or without visible lesions.
Alopecia may also be due to a local disease of the scalp, and occurring in that case as one of the secondary phe nomena of the chief affection. The principal affections in which alopecia may thus occur are erysipelas, eczema, seborrhceic eczema, psoriasis, lichen, pityriasis rubra, pemphigus foliaccus, impetigo, acne (atrophic acne), sycosis, lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma.
In another class of affections alopecia occurs as the principal symptom, namely: seborrho2a, pityriasis capillitii, etc.; fol licnlitis due to drugs; keratosis pilaris; alopecia areata; tricophytosis, and favus. (Brocq.) There are also indefinite varieties: such as the form due to a constant scratching of the head: the tricho mania of Besnier.
That occurring in weak and hydro cephalic children from constant pressure of the head of the bolster.
Alopecia of the vertex in women, due to combs and hair-pins, is also classed among the indefinite varieties.
A variety of alopecia which occurs rapidly, but only temporarily, is fre quently observed in connection with menstrual disturbances in women.
Symptoms. — Congenital Alopecia. This form of alopecia is uncommon; it may be local or general, temporary or permanent. Keratosis pilaris and moniliform aplasia may coincide with it. It may be due to lack of development of the hair-follicles, due to backwardness in the development of the hair; or to a pathological condition occurring during intra-uterine life, ichthyosis, xeroderma, or trophoneurosis. Congenital alopecia is frequently associated with slow and late dentition.