Name the more common cutaneous diseases and state approximately their frequency.
Eczema, 30.4%; syphilis cutanea, 11.2%; acne, 7.3%; pediculosis, 4%; psoriasis, 3.3%; ringworm, 3.2%; dermatitis, 2.6%; scabies, 2.6%; urticaria, 2.5%; pruritus, 2.1%; seborrhœa, 2.1%; herpes simplex, 1.7%; favus, 1.7%; impetigo, 1.4%; herpes zoster, 1.2%; verruca, 1.1%; tinea versicolor, 1%. Total: eighteen diseases, representing 81 per cent. of all cases met with.
(These percentages are based upon statistics, public and private, of the American Dermatological Association, covering a period of ten years. In private practice the proportion of cases of pediculosis, scabies, favus, and impetigo is much smaller, while acne, acne rosacea, seborrhœa, epithelioma, and lupus are relatively more frequent.)Name the more actively contagious skin diseases.
Impetigo contagiosa, ringworm, favus, scabies and pediculosis; excluding the exanthemata, erysipelas, syphilis and certain rare and doubtful diseases.
[At the present time when most diseases are presumed to be due to bacteria or parasites the belief in contagiousness, under certain conditions, has considerably broadened.
Is the rapid cure of a skin disease fraught with any danger to the patient?
No. It was formerly so considered, especially by the public and general profession, and the impression still holds to some extent, but it is not in accord with dermatological experience.
Name the several fats in common use for ointment bases.
Lard, petrolatum (or cosmoline or vaseline), cold cream and lanolin.
State the relative advantages of these several bases.
Lard is the best all-around base, possessing penetrating properties scarcely exceeded by any other fat.
Petrolatum is also valuable, having little, if any, tendency to change; it is useful as a protective, but is lacking in its power of penetration.
Cold Cream (ungt. aquæ rosæ) is soothing and cooling, and may often be used when other fatty applications disagree.
Lanolin is said to surpass in its power of penetration all other bases, but this is not borne out by experience. It is an unsatisfactory base when used alone. It should be mixed with another base in about the proportion of 25% to 50%.
These several bases may, and often with advantage, be variously combined.What is to be added to these several bases if a stiffer ointment is required?
Simple cerate, wax, spermaceti, or suet; or in some instances, a pulverulent substance, such as starch, boric acid, and zinc oxide.