Loss of hair and teeth and atrophy of the muscles have been noticed bing). The disease is usually benign and acute, running its course in from three to six weeks.
Zona may appear under three different conditions: First, toward the end of severe pulmonary tubercle, and it is then of no special interest; but in other cases it is a very early symptom, and may be looked upon as a premonitory sign. Cases cited of patients subject to herpes zoster, but who did not complain of any pulmonary affection. On examination of the lungs, however, early tuberculosis was discovered. In other cases, forming the third group, the signs of pulmonary tubercle may be discovered after a short interval, there being no physical indica tion at the time of the eruption. Ron her (Jour. de Med., Apr. 10, '97).
Resolution takes place by absorption of the vesicular contents or a crust forms which desiccates and is then ex foliated.
Indelible scars are occasionally left at the sites of the vesicles. They have a punched-out appearance, as if a nail head had been driven sharply into•the skin and had left its impress upon it.
These scars should never be mistaken for the relics of syphilis. The disease when attacking the region of the eye is apt to be unusually severe, and death has been known to follow. The eyesight is frequently endangered.
In virulent types of zoster rhage into the vesicles may take place, giving them a bluish or blackish appear ance (zoster lnumorrhagicus). An abor tive form of zoster, in which the pain appeared in typical manifestation, but without the development of vesicles, has been noticed.
Coalescence of the vesicles often takes place. Where the blebs are opened dirty, grayish ulcers are apt to form. These ulcers are decidedly rebellious to treat ment and invariably leave scars. All of the groups do not usually appear at the same time, but come out one after the other at intervals during the first week or ten days. They enlarge somewhat, but seldom unite.