Under this head are comprised all those cases of cutaneous disturb­
ance or inflammation due to traumatic agencies, such as friction, con­
tusions, abrasions, excoriations, surgical operations, animal parasites,
continued scratching, and the like. The amount of disturbance depends
upon the character of the cause and the duration of its action or its
repetition. Very often this does not go beyond simple erythema (ery­
thema traumaticum). When the action has been prolonged, a variable
degree of thickening of the skin and pigmentation may result. Infection
from without may be added to the ordinary symptoms of traumatic
break in the continuity of the derma, and give rise to complications.

The various other examples of this variety of dermatitis scarcely
need special mention. The irritation and inflammation sometimes due
to tight-fitting garments, bandages, to constant pressure (bed-sores),
etc, are additional illustrations. The mild traumatic dermatitis which

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INFLAMMATIONS

the various implements of trade produce in those of sensitive skin unac­
customed to their use is well known; nature, by gradually producing a
thickening or callousness of the parts pressed upon, protects from further
damage.

The management of dermatitis traumatica consists simply in with­
drawal or modification of the causative factor, and, if necessary, the
application of soothing lotions or ointments, such as referred to in ery­
thema hyperæmicum; in bed-sores soap-plaster, or equal parts of soap-
plaster and petrolatum, with or without 1 to 5 per cent, of ichthyol to
the ounce, is of advantage.

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