TIN'EA (Lat., gnawing worm). A name given to several varieties of vegetable parasitic skin diseases. For linen farosa, see F.tvIts. Tinea triehophytina or ringworm may appear as an eruption on several parts of the body, receiving a modification of the name in each ease, as corpo•is, cruris, capitis, barber, etc. It is very common among the poorer classes, and spreads with great rapidity in schools and asylums. Tinea of the scalp is often propagated by indiscriminate use of combs, hats, towels, and brushes, as well as by propinquity in sleeping. A red spot appears, marking the beginning of the eruption, which soon becomes scaly and en larges. forming a ring possibly half an inch in diameter, leaving a clear centre. The margin of the circle is well defined, elevated, red, and cov ered with fill(' scales easily detachable. Myce lium and spores are seen in microscopic exam ination of the scales. There is seldom much irritation, except in the cases where the crotch or axilla is invaded. The tinea trichophytina cruris or eczema margination is not infrequent in the United States, In warm climates it is very common and severe, and is known as Imlian, Chinese, or Burmese ringworm, also as Dhohie's itch. ilyposulphite of soda, bichloride of mer
cury. acetate of copper, and tincture of iodine are frequently efficacious in the tinca corporis and cruris_ BnIkley recommended sulphurons acid for the latter. Tinea capitis, also called tines tonsurans, is very intractable, and per severance must be used in the application of carbolic acid, green soap, mercury, oil of code, etc.. always used in the form of an ointment. Tinea. versicolor, or Pit yriasis versicolor, is very vommon in warm countries, though also frequent in the United States. The front of the chest is most often attacked, the back next. The parasite .11 icrosporon fu rf r is probably the 11 se of 1 inra The treatment consists of frequent bathing with strong soap, llyposulphitc of soda applications, or the use of bichloride of mercury, salicylic acid, sulphur, and glycerin. The prog nosis is good.