PIT YRIASIS VERSICOLOR Pityriasis versicolor is caused by the microsporon furfur described by Eichstedt in 1.S4G. It is characterized by the formation of irregular yellowish to yellowish brown roundish spots which can be easily scratched off, exposing the skin which is only slightly reddened. The plaques may become confluent and oecupy large areas. The face, palms and soles are always free, and the neck and dorsal surfaces of the hands are rarely attacked, the principal seat of the affection being on the trunk, back and arms. Its nature is benign; it is comparatively rare in children and they are never affected before the seventh or eighth year. It is hardly contagious, although its transmissibility has been established.
Pathological scratching off scale and clearing it with a 30 to 50 per cent. solution of potassium, microscopic examination reveals in the horny masses the mycelia and gonitlia of the microsporon furfur. The grape-formed accumulations of spores arc characteristic.
diagnosis is comparatively siinple in consequence of the yellowish brown color, the typical seat at the chest and back and the microscopical findings.
Treatment.—The treatment of this benign affection consists in the application of baths, soaps and antiparasitic ointments. Patients should have ordinary or sulphur baths as frequently as possible, and be thoroughly rubbed with green soap or sulphurated naphthol eoap, while in the bath. Once or twice daily the affected places should be bathed with 1 per cent. spirits of subliinate, 1 to 3 per cent. spirits of naphthol or 10 per cent. spirits of epicarin, which is followed in the evening by an inunction with sulphur naphthol ointment. As the spores also occur in the deeper corneal layers, relapses are a matter of course, if the treatment has only been superficial. To effect a complete cure therefore, a long-continued after-treatment with soaps (quinine, sulphur, subliniate soaps, etc.) is necessary.