MEDICAL INTRO |
BOOKS ON OLD MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND REMEDIES |
THE PRACTICAL
HOME PHYSICIAN AND ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINE The biggy of the late 1800's. Clearly shows the massive inroads in medical science and the treatment of disease.
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ALCOHOL AND THE HUMAN BODY In fact alcohol was known to be a poison, and considered quite dangerous. Something modern medicine now agrees with. This was known circa 1907. A very impressive scientific book on the subject. |
DISEASES OF THE SKIN is a massive book on skin diseases from 1914. Don't be feint hearted though, it's loaded with photos that I found disturbing. |
Part of SAVORY'S COMPENDIUM OF DOMESTIC MEDICINE:
19th CENTURY HEALTH MEDICINES AND DRUGS |
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PEDICULOSIS CORPORIS
Synonyms.—Pediculosis vestimenti seu vestimentorum; Phthiriasis corporis; Vagabond’s disease; Fr., Phtiriase du corps.
Pediculosis corporis, or body-lousiness, is due to the presence of the pediculus corporis. It is characterized by more or less general itching, excoriations, together with various inflammatory lesions, some of which may be primary and others secondary. In sensitive skin wheals, usually of evanescent character, sometimes arise at the points where the parasites have inserted their sucking apparatus, or haustellum. This act also produces a peculiar lesion, which may be said to be characteristic, consisting of a minute hemorrhagic punctum on a level with the surface and practically imperceptible to the finger passing over it—in this respect differing from the red, excoriated points resulting from scratched, con gested, or irritated follicles. As the parasites live in the clothing, in the seams, and also where the skin is most conveniently reached for pur poses of feeding, the various lesions and excoriations are, therefore, to be found most abundantly on those parts with which the clothing comes closely in contact, as, for instance, around the neck, across the shoulders and upper part of the back, around the waist, over the sacrum, and down the outside of the thighs. The parasites, if numerous, are readily found, but if in scanty number are to be hunted for in the seams of the collar-band; the ova are also found in the clothing, and sometimes attached to the lanugo hairs, especially of the upper part of the trunk. The irritation produced is often sufficiently intense in this form to lead to more or less violent scratching, so that it is not uncommon to see, here and there, but especially upon the upper part of the back, parallel linear scratch-marks made by several or more of the finger-nails, in efforts to gain relief. The continued irritation, consequent hyperemia, and the excoriations occasionally bring about in places a slight degree of eczema, and also in persistent cases a variable degree of resulting pigmentation, most pronounced on the upper portion of the trunk posteriorly, although in extreme instances it is more or less general and of quite a dark hue, as to suggest the possibility of Addison’s disease (see under Chloasma).1
1 The observations of Besnier, Greenhow, and Thibiérge (Thibiérge, Bull, et mêm. de la Soc. méd. des hôp. de Paris, Dec 18, 1891) that in some of these instances pigmen tation is also found on the buccal mucous membrane, and also on the glans penis, would seem to indicate that there were other reasons for the integumentary discoloration in addition to those commonly believed. Thibiérge remarks that such cases reduce the pathognomonic significance of pigmentation of the mucous membranes in Addison’s disease.
1178 PARASITIC AFFECTIONS
The violence with which the skin is sometimes scratched is such that the nails not only penetrate to the corium, but into some depth of the latter, as shown here and there, especially on the back, by scattered, small, irregular, atrophic-looking, or cicatricial spots. These are also to some extent possibly due to the secondary ecthymatous lesions which are occasionally seen. The symptoms vary considerably, however, in different individuals, in some the itching being extremely slight and the effects insignificant, in others of a decided, scarcely bearable character, the patients getting but little rest, and the skin the seat of papules, small and large pustules, and excoriations. Jamieson1 has recorded a few instances of pyrexia, apparently of reflex nature, due to the presence of body-lice, and in cases in which the cutaneous lesions were insignificant. Pediculosis corporis is commonly seen in adults, and more frequently in those of advancing years. It is rather rare in children. It is observed quite often among the frequenters of lodging-houses and among the cach ectic, poor, and uncared-for. Certain individuals are more prone to successful invasion than others. It is readily communicated by trans ference of either the parasites or their ova.
The diagnosis of pediculosis corporis in well-marked examples is comparatively easy, as the distribution of the excoriations and other lesions, as well as often the pigmentation and the usually intense itchi- ness, and the minute hemorrhagic puncta, are quite suggestive. Parallel linear scratch-marks are also, as a rule, significant. The distribution and absence of hand involvement are generally sufficient to prevent error with scabies (see the latter for other differential points). Careful search will almost invariably disclose one or more pediculi, unless the underwear had been changed just before examination, and in some in stances ova can be found attached to the lanugo and other body-hairs. In some cases there is a suggestion of urticaria, the wheals arising where the pediculi have inserted the haustellum, as well as sometimes elsewhere in consequence of the reflex irritation. The distribution, however, as well as the other characters mentioned, will generally suffice for the dif ferentiation. In ordinary urticaria the hands and face frequently share in the eruption, parts not involved in pediculosis. The malady is not to be confused with simple pruritus (q. v.).
Treatment.—As the lice only go to the skin for the purpose of feeding, the main attention in the treatment of pediculosis corporis is to be directed to the infested wearing apparel and bed-linen, which should be thoroughly baked, boiled, or gone over with a very hot iron in order to destroy the pediculi and their ova. Inasmuch, however, as in some instances the ova are found attached to the lanugo body-hairs, a fact to which Jamieson2 has directed notice, the surface, therefore, requires treatment also, otherwise a recurrence naturally soon shows itself. An occasional general tub-bath of corrosive sublimate (3ij-iij (4.-12.) to the bath), if there are not many excoriations, will be destruc tive to the ova. The employment of a naphthol-sulphur soap in con-
1 Jamieson, “On Some of the Rarer Effects of Pediculi,” Brit. Jour. Derm., 1889, p. 321.
2 Jamieson, ibid., 1895, p. 248.
PEDICULOSIS
1179
nection with the ordinary bath is also serviceable. Jamieson advises the use of a piece of roll sulphur, the size of a pigeon’s egg, in a coarse muslin or canvas bag, and worn next the skin day and night; the heat of the body causes gradual oxidation and the formation of sulphurous acid. This plan can, as Jamieson suggests, also be employed in those of the careless or tramp class, who cannot give proper attention to the apparel. In these instances, too, the use of an ointment of stavesacre, 2 drams (8.) to the ounce (32.), of sulphur, 30 to 60 grains (2.-4.) to the ounce (32.), or of B-naphthol, 20 to 60 grains (1.33-4.) to the ounce (32.), will serve a like purpose. These ointments, if in weaker strengths, also are of benefit to the papular and pustular lesions; but if the skin is decidedly eczematous, a weak carbolized zinc ointment or a saturated solution of boric acid, with 1 or 2 drams (4.-8.) of carbolic acid to the pint (500.), is to be preferred. Carbolic acid, like the other substances named, is likewise distasteful to the parasites.
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