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Favus.Favus is caused by another vegetable parasite, a member of the fungus family of plants, the achorion schoenleinii. This parasite grows only on the hairy parts of the body as a rule, though it occasionally appears on other parts of the skin. In this disease crusts are formed in and around the hairs ; they are often matted together so as to constitute an enormous scab over a large part or the whole of the scalp These crusts are of a yellowish color, often somewhat saucer-shaped, and are pierced in the middle by a hair. These crusts are formed almost entirely of the vegetable growth itself. When the crusts are removed there is observed underneath a reddish surface from which the skin has been separated ; in bad cases deep ulcers are found underneath the crusts. When these masses are removed by treatment the skin heals again, but in many cases the sites of the disease remain permanently bald ; this results from the fact that the hair follicles are entirely destroyed by the growth of the parasite. In aggravated cases, where the disease has been neglected for months or years, the entire scalp may be absolutely devoid of hair ; such cases are occasionally seen, especially among the low-caste Hebrews of Poland. This disease affects the lower animals as well as man, and is particularly common among dogs, cats and mice. This is cne of the affections which, when it occurs in dogs, is called the " mange." It seems probable that the disease is often communicated to children by these animals. Treatment*-The first object of treatment is to remove the masses of the parasites which constitute the crusts on the head. This must be done with care, since the scalp beneath will usually be found raw and ulcerated. In order to remove these crusts the head may be first thoroughly oiled, and may then be enveloped in a flaxseed poultice, which may be changed every two or three hours during the day. After ten or twelve hours* application of the poultice, the crusts are usually softened and can be removed by the hands without causing much pain. If they are still hard and adhere closely to the scalp the removal can be facilitated by soaking the head in hot water. After the crusts are removed the hair should be carefully cut or shaven around the diseased spots. There may then' be applied one of the follow'ing ointments : Perchloride of mercury, - Fifteen grains. Simple ointment, Vaseline, - Each half an ounce. Mix and apply thoroughly to the scalp. If the scalp be ulcerated extensively the ointment should be made somewhat weaker, say five grains of the perchloride of mercury to the ounce ; and care should be taken not to rub the ointment over the ulcerated spots. Carbolic acid, - - One drachm. Flowers of sulphur, - Two drachms. Tincture of iodine, - Half an ounce. Vaseline, - An ounce and a half. Mix and make an ointment. The tincture of iodine alone may be applied by means of a brush ; or the following may be employed instead : Hyposulphite of soda, - Ten grains. Vaseline, _ .. One ounce. Most individuals who suffer from favus are in a poor state of health, and require general treatment. In most cases the following can be administered with advantage : Tincture of the chloride of iron, Six drachms. Tincture of nux vomica, - One ounce. Compound tincture of gentian, To make four ounces. Mix and take a teaspoonful in a half wineglassiul of water half an hour before meals. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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