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Lichen.Lichen is characterized by its extreme itchiness, a feature which gives the patient an amount of annoyance and torment quite out of proportion to the apparent insignificance of the eruption. Sometimes the rash is localized in limited parts of the body ; thus it may appear on the back of the hands only ; at other times it affects the wrists and the front of the forearms. Sometimes the pimples become considerably larger, and flattened upon the top. These pimples are extremely uncomfortable, since they cause the patient to scratch the skin incessantly. When these pimples disappear, they leave brown stains upon the skin much resembling freckles. This variety is somewhat unusual, and from the flatness of the pimples is called lichen planus. The rashes which often appear upon children during nursing or teething, and which are known by various popular names - "red gum," ''tooth rash," etc.,- are forms of lichen. Another common variety of lichen is what is known as " prickly heat," with which all are familiar. Still another variety is seen in the form of pimples around the hairs on the arms and legs. This form of the disease seems to result from insufficient bathing, but causes the patient no annoyance. The treatment of lichen varies extremely. In nearly all cases, except the " prickly heat," it will be found that there is some derangement of the internal organs, upon which the skin rash depends. Thus the rashes which appear upon children during nursing, are usually due to an improper quality of food ; they occur especially often upon bottle-fed children and upon infants who are but poorly cared for. In every case it will be necessary to see that the digestive organs are kept in good condition ; the diet should be bland and unirritating, consisting of milk, eggs and vegetables, to the exclusion of meats and condiments. Regular evacuation of the bowels should be secured by the use of some saline cathartic, such as a teaspoonful of the citrate of magnesia. For the treatment of the skin itself the patient may have an alkaline bath. This may be prepared by adding six ounces of baking soda to twenty gallons of water, which is to be kept at a temperature of 90 deg. F. This bath may be repeated morning and night. In obstinate cases the following formula may be used : Precipitated sulphur, - Two ounces. Hyposulphite of soda, - One ounce. Dilute sulphuric acid, - - Half an ounce. Water, - - One pint. Mix, and apply to the skin by means of a soft cloth three or four times daily. In many cases it will become necessary to administer arsenic in some form ; the most convenient and desirable will be Fowler's solution, which may be given in the following prescription : Fowler's solution, ...... Three drachms. Tincture of the chloride of iron, - Six drachms. Tincture of quassia, - - - To make four ounces. Mix, and take a teaspoonful 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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