PERSPIRATION, Excessive.
This usually will be found to he secondary to some primary affection which requires treatment, as plithisis or other form of tuberculosis, pyzemia, septicemia, chronic alcoholism, influenza, obesity, acute rheumatism, ague, &c. The various drugs found suitable for the control of the profuse perspiration, often so distressing a symptom in pulmonary tuberculosis, may as a rule be employed in all other allied septic states. They are enumerated in the article on Phthisis.
Where hypersecretion of the sweat glands occurs, independent of any other affection, some abnormal condition of the vaso-motor nerve supply is probably present and may require treatment. The clothing should be light and absorbent, thin flannels being the best fabric for wear next the skin.
\\ here there is no elevation of cutaneous temperature, the skin should be bathed in very hot water to which vinegar is added. Cold douching alone or following hot sponging often is useful, and smart friction is after wards to be employed. Unna then advises an ointment containing elithvol and Turpentine to be rubbed in before bed-time. This is to be washed off in the morning, very cold water is to be used and thorough friction. alter which a powder containing mustard is to be dusted over the skin. In cases where the skin is warm he advises the use of the ichthyol Ointment or Soap. Of the various powders the best consists of Starch 12 parts, „1. parts, I;or.«.ic Acid .f parts, and Salicylic Acid
part. This effectually deals with the miliary eruption or numerous sudamina often present. Some authorities recommend the inunction of the entire body with Sweet or Neat's Foot Oil.
01 internal methods of treatment, the writer believes that a very dry diet with the least amount of fluids gig es the hest results combined with 2 grs. thrice daily.
Tincture of Belladonna 5 mills, or to , gr. three times a day alone or with 15 to 3o mins. of the Liquid Extract of Ergot may be t ried. Sulphuric Acid, Tannin, Quinine, Strychnine, Agaric, minute doses of Pilocarpine, Sulphate or Oxide of Zinc, and nearly every remedy found useful in diminishing the night sweating of plithisis have been used, but their effects are very transient. Crocker gives a teaspoonful of Milk of Sulphur in a little milk to ice a day. The employment of the constant current along with the administration of Strychnine or Nux Vomica may be tried.
Excessive perspiration, when localised, usually presents itself for treatment in those cases ac«,mpanied by unpleasant odour or pronounced fretor, in which examples the local hyperidritsis is known as " Bromi drosis." The treatment ()I this is detailed under its own heading.