FURUNCULOSIS By furunculosis we understand a circumscribed inflammation caused by pus cocci situated in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, which may lead to ulceration or necrosis. According to whether the affection originates from folliculitis or the cellular tissue generally, we distinguish between furuneulosis of the sebaceous glands or of the cellular tissue. Furuncles are met with in nursing infants and in every age of hood, originating from skin affections in consequence of itching and scratching, the ulcerating factors being transmitted through feces and urine to the macerated skin. In nursing infants they are situated prin cipally' at the upper lip, the auditory canal and the nates, and are very frequently to be found in prurigo, eczema, impetigo, etc. The course of furuncidosis in children corresponds exactly to that in the adult and requires no special discus.sion.
are cau.stal by the penetration of staphy lococci into the .skin. In how far internal causes or the milk of the mother may cause infection from the intestine, has not yet been demonstrated.
The prognosis is favorable, provided the number of thc furuncles is not excessive and the condition of the child is not too low.
Treatment.—The object of the treatment is the quickest possible evacuation of the furuncles, and keeping the skin clean. Fresh fur uncles should be softened with hot poultices or plasters soap plasters, mercurial carbolic plastermull) and then incised; afterwards apply moist bandages with acetic alumina and finally bandages of sali cylic soap plaster. The cleansing of the skin is effected by frequent bathing (soap, sublimate, or sulphur baths) and regular washing with soap (sulphur soap).