PORRIGO, Ringworm, is a pustular and contagious disease of the scalp, or, In some rare cases, of other parts where there is much hair. Biett describes two varieties of it under the names of P. farosa and I'. stutalata. Dr. Within described many more varieties, but he included In this name other widely different diseases.
Porrigo farosa consists of an eruption of small fiat yellow pustules, with depressions at their centres, distinct or clustered, and which soon concrete into bright yellow honey-coloured scabs, on the surface of which the depressions of the centres of each pustule aro usually still visible. After some time the scabs become thick and white ; and drying, split and break off. Sometimes, however, they remain long adherent, the skin beneath them ulcerating, and the discharge oozing through them. The hair of the parts affected is always much loosened, and often falls off spontaneously ; and, when it grows again, is weaker and lighter in colour than before.
Porrigo favosa appears rarely in any part except the scalp. It affects persons of all ages; but especially children from six to ten years old, and those who are naturally unhealthy, or ill-fed and dirty. It is distinctly communicable by contagion, and by this means may affect alike the weak and the robust.
It Is one of the most obstinate diseases of the skin, and often lasts for months or years. The first measure for its cure is to cleanse the head completely with poultices or soap and water, and to have the hair cut very close. The dead hair and scabs must then be cleaned off as fast as they form. The medicines that promise the speediest success are lotions with sulphuret of potash or slightly acidulated, or with alkalies or their carbonates, such as in the following forms :—ten grains of potassa fusa in an ounce of water, to bo applied occasionally ; ono or two drachms of subcarbonato of potash in a pint of water, to be constantly applied on linen ; or from ono to three drachms of sul phuret of potash to a pint of water; or from ten to twenty drops of any of the mineral acids to a pint of water, also to be constantly applied. Lotions also of sulphate of copper, nitrate of silver, and of
nearly all the stimulant and astringent salts, have been employed, and sometimes with success ; and in most cases of the disease, all these will have to be tried In turn, till one, being found beneficial, Is con tinued till the cure is completed, or till it has ceased to do good, when it must be changed for another. Internal medicines must be employed if there he any symptoms Indicating their necessity ; but generally they arc useless.
Perris!, scatulata, which is more commonly termed ringworm than the preceding, appears in the form of circular red patches, with numerous minute yellow pustules with depressed centres, out of which a hair usually projects, and which aro attended by great itching. The fluid contained in the pustules dries up soon after they are formed, and, by coalescing, they produce a swab over the whole diseased surface. Subsequently successive crops of now pustules form around the margin of the scab, which is increased by their drying, and thus the disease may spread over the greater part of the scalp by the meeting and coalescing of the patches, which were at first isolated. The hair usually falls off from the ;art affected, or Is so loosened that It may be pulled out without pain.
This form of porrigo sometimes appears eqontaneoosfIy in poor and dirt, children, to it is usually produced by contagion. The suggestions for its treatment must be the same as for Porrigo favosa.
PORT (Wine). [Wice.]