ICHTHYOSIS.
Local treatment is of chief importance in this congenital and often hereditary skin condition, though Pringle has reported good results from Thyroid feeding, and Jackson states that he has cured it by irriga tion of the colon, and others affirm that Pilocarpine hypodermically is always of use. Cod-Liver Oil is certainly beneficial in all eases, and especially in the mild type of the condition known as Xerodermia or Keratosis pilaris these agents may be advantageously employed to supple ment local treatment.
The scales or plaques the result of the keratinisation of the epithelia cells must first be removed by prolonged immersion in a warm with gentle scrubbing and the use of a Superfatted Soap, Borax, Resorcir or Salicylic Acid. Often a weak alkaline bath meets all the require. ments if sufficiently prolonged and assiduous friction he employed b; means of hair gloves.
After drying the surface a bland, unirritating animal oil or fat shouk be gently rubbed in till the skin is brought to the natural suppleness Lard Oil or Neat Oil is the best, but any vegetable oil may also be used and Olive Oil is free from objectionable odour. Vaseline or Glyceril may he used for the exposed parts of the body, but upon the whole tit face and hands are best treated by pure Lanolin, which should be gent!: rubbed in till it disappears. Suet or Cacao Butter answers well in sum cases, and Pringle prefers the official Glycerinum Amvli. Jamieson use an ointment consisting of the following: 13, . Resorcini 3j.
Oki A mygdalce 3j.
Lanolini 5iij. Alisce.
The bath should be used once each day for long periods, but the inune tions should be performed twice a day. When the skin has been brough
to its natural feel and appearance, a hot bath once or twice a week an a daily application of the oil will keep the subject of simple ichthyosis in a tolerably comfortable and presentable condition. Mild cases get on with one thorough inunction in the week. In a case occurring in a weak, thin boy the writer had an excellent result from one thorough application of Cod-Liver Oil every week, but the odour of the oil is a great drawback to its employment.
Flannel should be worn next the skin, and in some cases great comfort and benefit may be obtained from chamois or wash leather under-gar ments. Where eczema exists the weeping surface or fissures must be treated by emollients before resorting to the alkaline bath and friction.
In Ickthyosis Hystrix, where there is much hardening, the callosities may be excised or gently scraped with a curette, or dissolved by the application of a lotion consisting of one part of the B.P. Liquor in two parts of water.
Sodium Ethylate Solution or Salicylic Acid dissolved in Collodion may be more conveniently used to destroy the growths, and will not cause injury to the underlying skin. After the removal of the cakes, an oint ment containing to grs. of Iodide of Potassium in solution rubbed up with i oz. Lanolin may be used with advantage. Resorcin (to per cent.) or Naphthol (5 per cent.) ointments may be tried in the later stages of treatment, or i dr. Resorcin added to each ounce of Glycerin. Amyli.