Mycetoma (Synonyms: Fungous Foot of India; Madura Foot; Podelcoma.)
Describe mycetoma.
It is a disease involving usually the foot, and is met with chiefly in India. It is characterized by swelling and the formation of tubercular or nodular lesions which break down and form the external openings of sinuses which lead to the interior of the affected part. These discharge, and are studded with, whitish granules or black, roe-like masses, mixed with a sanious or sero-purulent fluid. The whole part is gradually disintegrated, the process lasting indefinitely. Its nature is obscure; it is thought to be due to a fungus.
Treatment consists in the early stages, when the disease is limited, of thorough curetting and cauterization; later, after the part is more or less involved, amputation, at a point well up beyond the disease, becomes necessary. Potassium iodide internally may exert a favorable influence.