AC'MITE (Gk. alone, point, edge). A sodium-iron silicate that crystallizes in the monoclinic system, has a vitreous to resinous lustre, and is red to brown and green in color. It occurs in the older rocks in Sweden and Greenland, and in the United States minute crystals have been found in northwestern New Jersey, while fine prismatic crystals, frequently eight inches in length, occur at Hot Springs and Magnet Cove, Ark. It is called acmite front the sharp pointed extremities of its crystals.
ACNE (probably from Gk. 61C/175, ahme, a point). An inflammatory structural disorder of the sebaceous glands or follicles of the skin (q.v.). Dust plugs the outlets of some follicles, forming "black heads" or comedones. Retention of the sebum causes irritation of the follicle, leadivg, to increased secretion and congestion of the surrounding tissue. Pressure with a watch key or the finger nails causes expulsion of the sebum in a little spiral white mass, with a black point or anterior end, erroneously regarded as a worm. In the midst of the white mass of seba ceous matter, a parasite. 'Icarus follieulo•um, is, however, often found. Some points suppurate and some intermediate follicles become inflamed, and pimples (papules), as well as hardened masses, appear. This variety of acne is called Acne vulgaris. AnNmia, dyspepsia, consti pation, and uterine disorders may he the indirect causes of acne, the immediate cause being the entrance of the Staphylococcus pyogenes (the germ of suppuration) int.o the sebaceous follicles. Treatment must be directed against the indirect causes mentioned, and also vigorous local treat ment must be employed. Internal remedies in
clude aperients, mineral waters, cod liver oil, hypophosphites, malt extract, arsenic, iron, mer cury, and sulphur. External remedies include salicylic acid, ichthyol, mercury, borated alcohol, sulphur, zinc, and caustic potash. Acne rosacea is a chronic hyperemic disease of the face, more especially of the nose, characterized by hyper trophy, redness, dilatation of the blood ves*els and acne. In one form acne papules and pus titles are plenty, and appear on a background of bright red infiltrated skin. In the other form of Acne rosacea there is a general erythema or redness, with enlargement of the superficial veins of the skin, and frequently a hypertrophy of the nose or chin. If extensive, and if the hypertrophy becomes excessive, the term Acne hypertrophiea is applied to these ('uses. if the usual acne treatment fails, scarification or re moval of the surface with the knife is necessary in Acne rosacea and Acne hypertrophica. In Acne atrophica, which usually occurs upon the temples and border of the scalp. wings of the nostrils and between the eyebr,)Ws, there is ne crosis of the tissues. with resulting contractions and pits. In Acne keloid there is a deep infil tration of the true skin with destruction or al teration of the hair. Its favorite seat is on the back of the neck, where it appears as nodulated, hard tumors. Cauterization is the treatment.