PROGNOSIS. —All cases tend to rapid recovery, although a number of relapses may occur. Deaths have been recorded, but when the large number of cases is taken into consideration this loss of life is very small.
—Internal treatment is to be directed toward the removal of the exciting cause where possible. All ir regularities of the viscera are to be remedied. Rheumatic diathesis must re ceive attention, and iodide of potassium, recommended by Villemin, may be found of good service, 15 to 30 grains, thrice daily, as an absorbent in the vesicular and bullous form. Elliot says that it may, if given injudiciously, provoke an aggravation of existing conditions. In this class of cases Atkinson, of Balti more, relies upon salicylic acid and the salicylates. I have frequently obtained excellent results with arsenous acid given during and between attacks.
Quinine is certainly demanded in those types which are presumably the effect of malaria. Antistrumous reme dies—such as codliver-oil, phosphorus, and possibly strychnine—in those debili tated by such processes are valuable in the tubercular forms.
Local measures, while possibly di rected alone to the relief of subjective symptoms, may also be found beneficial.
Boric acid is of distinct value in this affection, and applied in a saturated watery solution gives almost instant re lief from the itching and burning that is occasionally observed.
The sulphite or hyposulphite of sodium may often be used advantage ously in the strength of from V, to 1 drachm to the ounce of water. Ichthvol may be found of service in the vesicular and bullous types. At times stimulating remedies may act efficaciously, especially salicylic acid, carbolic acid, sulphurous acid, and hydrocyanic acid in varying strengths of solution.
In the urticarial type antipruritic lo tions may be demanded. Mild cases may not require treatment, the subjective symptoms being very slight.
Erythema Nodosum.—Erythema no dosum is an acute inflammatory affec tion of the skin, characterized by the ap pearance of symmetrical, elevated, vari ously sized, shaped, and colored nodular formations, accompanied by constitu tional disturbance.