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"HERPES GESTATIONIS."
697 is already suppurative inflammation, soft soap mixed with relk of egg, and the nightly inunction of an ointment of white precipitate, twenty or thirty grains to the ounce of raseline or benzoated lard ; and, in the more chronic cases, hfly brushing into the roots of the hair a modified " Coster’s paste"" (composed of iodine pigment, three drachms; creasote, half an ounce; oil of cade, half an ounce) is always efectual, at least in all the cases I have had to treat, and I do not know that I have lost sight of many that were not
quite relieved. Dr. Alder Smith desires to draw attention to the " efficiency of the croton-oil treatment in the production of kerion as a certain and speedy cure in the most inveterate forms of the disease." It would be interesting to know how soon a cure is effected by this treatment. 1 find it is a difficult thing to give a certain prognosis of cure under at least-that is to say, the complete two or three destruction of the parasite, and a healthy growth of new and
months
sound hair.
I am, Sir, yours truly, Sackville-street, April 26th, 1880. JAMES STARTIN. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—As Mr. Smith’s letter in reference to the above subject, in this week’s LANCET, may possibly lead to misapprehension of the principles of treatment of ringworm I have endeavoured to indicate, may I be permitted to repeat that an essential part of my plan is that in certain conditions of chronic ringworm, it is advisable to produce an inflammation involving the tissues at least to the depth of the hair-follicles. To be one of the means of effecting this a crop of pustules must fulfil the conditions named in my letter in THE LANCET of April 17th. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, WYNDHAM COTTLE, COTTLE. M.B. Oxon., F.R.C.S. Savile-row, W., April 24th, 1880.
’
TRANSVERSE DEPRESSIONS ON THE NAILS
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pregnancies. It may be regarded as precisely analogous to - indeed is in some respects identical with-eruptions which in many women almost invariably precede the menstrual flow : they are the ectodermic manifestations which in a more or less pronounced manner accompany menstruation ; and they exemplify the grand law of periodicity which pervades that function. These dermic changes may aptly be likened to the moulting of birds, and other of the lower creatures; indeed, being sexual, they are truly analogous. Every woman who menstruates displays more or less epidermic change at the " periods ;" and if closely observed will show either (a) increased pigmentation of the skin and its appendages-e.g., freckles, areolse of nipples, hair-or a little acne, herpes, urticaria, eczema, or altered sweat (ectodermic), or (b) coryza, bronchial catarrh, or mucous flux from the bowel, with, in rare cases, casts : (endodermic). (Parenthetically it may be said that casts of the bowel are met with about nine times more frequently in women than in men.) This and other kindred, but as yet imperfectly observed or understood, points relating to the physiology and pathology of menstruation, I hope, with your permission, to discuss more at large in your pages through my course of systematic lectures about to be delivered. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, ALFRED WILTSHIRE. F.R.C.P. ALFRED WILTSHIRE, M.D., M.D., F.R.C_P. Wimpole-street, W., April 19th, 1880. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN TURKEY AND IN ENGLAND : A CONTRAST. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—Will you allow me to make a few observations on the letter of "J. B. B.,"under the above heading in your impression of April 24th. In the first place I would observe that religious equality was first proclaimed in Turkey in 1839 in the Tanzimat, but the declaration (repeated in 1856) has always remained a dead letter, which " J. B. B." would find to be the case were he a rajah. But the cases cited are not parallel. King’s College never did proclaim religious equality. It was established on religious principles, just as University College and the London University were established on secular principles. I am sure that Mr. Tweedy would find no Government post barred to him on account of his religion, whatever that may be. If such were the case he would have a just cause of complaint, and might then compare the declarations of the Sublime Porte (untruthful as they are) with the practice of the British Government. I am, Sir, yours, &c., HUMPHRY SANDWITH. Athenamm Club, April 27th.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—The note that you recently published, giving ani account of an instance of arrested nutrition of the nails’ during illness, was brought to the notice of a gentleman who having himself afforded an example of this curious} appearance, has sent me an account of his own case. Although not a medical man his description is careful, andL affords evidence of accurate observation. In August, 1878, when forty-nine years of age, he was seized with a severe illness; he was unconscious for three days, his life being despaired of, but eventually he made a goodL recovery, being in bed only for a month. Shortly after the attack it was observed that there was a groove on all the SALICYLATE OF QUININE. nails, both of the hands and the feet, neither the patient nor To the Editor of THE LANCET. those about him having ever heard previously of such an occurrence. The foot marks disappeared first, but the lines the benefit of those who are wishful to try the SIR,—For on the hand-nails were not cut away until nine months had effects of the above in rheumatism, I append a formula (of elapsed. The length of time occupied by the marks on the foot-nails until they advanced to the edge of the nail was my own), which I have used with benefit for some time :not noted. My correspondent informs me that he has a Salicylic acid, one drachm; disulphate of quinine, ten good circulation, that he usually covers his feet warmly, grains ; simple syrup, one ounce; strong liquor ambut does not cover his hands, and that his nails and hair moniae, one drachm ; water, to twelve ounces. The mode of grow with unusual slowness. to be adopted is as follows : put the acid and The points to be noted in this case are first, the fact that mixing quinine together into the phial, with about eight or nine the grooveon the nails of the hand may persist for nine ounces of water, agitate briskly for a few seconds, let the months (an unusually long time, so far as our present data mixture stand a little while uncorked, then add the liquor teach us) before it is finally lost ; and secondly, that, conammonise, again agitating, then the syrup and the retrary to what Dr. Beau leads us to look for in such cases, mainder of the water. A few drops more of the ammonia the mark on the toe-nails disappeared first. be required to get a perfectly clear solution. I have may I am, &c., found the addition of tincture of digitalis at times adQueen Anne-street, w., April 13th, 1880. G. THIN, M.D M.D. vantageous. I am, Sir, yours truly, "HERPES GESTATIONIS." JOHN DEARDEN, DEARDEN, F.R.C.S. Church, near Acerington, April 7th, 1880. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—The cases of " Herpes Gestationis" narrated by Dr. THE LONDON HOSPITAL.-The committee repretanley Gale in THE LANCET for April 17th appear to illustrate some points of interest in the physiology of the repro- senting employes of the Great Eastern, London, Tilbury and Southend, and North London Railwaysannounce that ductive system. the next annual ballad concert, in aid of the funds of the In each instance the eruption began to appear shortly London Hospital, will take place at St. James’s Hall on before delivery (three or four days) ; recurring with several Tuesday, May 4th next. ,
.
quite relieved. Dr. Alder Smith desires to draw attention to the " efficiency of the croton-oil treatment in the production of kerion as a certain and speedy cure in the most inveterate forms of the disease." It would be interesting to know how soon a cure is effected by this treatment. 1 find it is a difficult thing to give a certain prognosis of cure under at least-that is to say, the complete two or three destruction of the parasite, and a healthy growth of new and
months
sound hair.
I am, Sir, yours truly, Sackville-street, April 26th, 1880. JAMES STARTIN. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—As Mr. Smith’s letter in reference to the above subject, in this week’s LANCET, may possibly lead to misapprehension of the principles of treatment of ringworm I have endeavoured to indicate, may I be permitted to repeat that an essential part of my plan is that in certain conditions of chronic ringworm, it is advisable to produce an inflammation involving the tissues at least to the depth of the hair-follicles. To be one of the means of effecting this a crop of pustules must fulfil the conditions named in my letter in THE LANCET of April 17th. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, WYNDHAM COTTLE, COTTLE. M.B. Oxon., F.R.C.S. Savile-row, W., April 24th, 1880.
’
TRANSVERSE DEPRESSIONS ON THE NAILS
-
pregnancies. It may be regarded as precisely analogous to - indeed is in some respects identical with-eruptions which in many women almost invariably precede the menstrual flow : they are the ectodermic manifestations which in a more or less pronounced manner accompany menstruation ; and they exemplify the grand law of periodicity which pervades that function. These dermic changes may aptly be likened to the moulting of birds, and other of the lower creatures; indeed, being sexual, they are truly analogous. Every woman who menstruates displays more or less epidermic change at the " periods ;" and if closely observed will show either (a) increased pigmentation of the skin and its appendages-e.g., freckles, areolse of nipples, hair-or a little acne, herpes, urticaria, eczema, or altered sweat (ectodermic), or (b) coryza, bronchial catarrh, or mucous flux from the bowel, with, in rare cases, casts : (endodermic). (Parenthetically it may be said that casts of the bowel are met with about nine times more frequently in women than in men.) This and other kindred, but as yet imperfectly observed or understood, points relating to the physiology and pathology of menstruation, I hope, with your permission, to discuss more at large in your pages through my course of systematic lectures about to be delivered. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, ALFRED WILTSHIRE. F.R.C.P. ALFRED WILTSHIRE, M.D., M.D., F.R.C_P. Wimpole-street, W., April 19th, 1880. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN TURKEY AND IN ENGLAND : A CONTRAST. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—Will you allow me to make a few observations on the letter of "J. B. B.,"under the above heading in your impression of April 24th. In the first place I would observe that religious equality was first proclaimed in Turkey in 1839 in the Tanzimat, but the declaration (repeated in 1856) has always remained a dead letter, which " J. B. B." would find to be the case were he a rajah. But the cases cited are not parallel. King’s College never did proclaim religious equality. It was established on religious principles, just as University College and the London University were established on secular principles. I am sure that Mr. Tweedy would find no Government post barred to him on account of his religion, whatever that may be. If such were the case he would have a just cause of complaint, and might then compare the declarations of the Sublime Porte (untruthful as they are) with the practice of the British Government. I am, Sir, yours, &c., HUMPHRY SANDWITH. Athenamm Club, April 27th.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—The note that you recently published, giving ani account of an instance of arrested nutrition of the nails’ during illness, was brought to the notice of a gentleman who having himself afforded an example of this curious} appearance, has sent me an account of his own case. Although not a medical man his description is careful, andL affords evidence of accurate observation. In August, 1878, when forty-nine years of age, he was seized with a severe illness; he was unconscious for three days, his life being despaired of, but eventually he made a goodL recovery, being in bed only for a month. Shortly after the attack it was observed that there was a groove on all the SALICYLATE OF QUININE. nails, both of the hands and the feet, neither the patient nor To the Editor of THE LANCET. those about him having ever heard previously of such an occurrence. The foot marks disappeared first, but the lines the benefit of those who are wishful to try the SIR,—For on the hand-nails were not cut away until nine months had effects of the above in rheumatism, I append a formula (of elapsed. The length of time occupied by the marks on the foot-nails until they advanced to the edge of the nail was my own), which I have used with benefit for some time :not noted. My correspondent informs me that he has a Salicylic acid, one drachm; disulphate of quinine, ten good circulation, that he usually covers his feet warmly, grains ; simple syrup, one ounce; strong liquor ambut does not cover his hands, and that his nails and hair moniae, one drachm ; water, to twelve ounces. The mode of grow with unusual slowness. to be adopted is as follows : put the acid and The points to be noted in this case are first, the fact that mixing quinine together into the phial, with about eight or nine the grooveon the nails of the hand may persist for nine ounces of water, agitate briskly for a few seconds, let the months (an unusually long time, so far as our present data mixture stand a little while uncorked, then add the liquor teach us) before it is finally lost ; and secondly, that, conammonise, again agitating, then the syrup and the retrary to what Dr. Beau leads us to look for in such cases, mainder of the water. A few drops more of the ammonia the mark on the toe-nails disappeared first. be required to get a perfectly clear solution. I have may I am, &c., found the addition of tincture of digitalis at times adQueen Anne-street, w., April 13th, 1880. G. THIN, M.D M.D. vantageous. I am, Sir, yours truly, "HERPES GESTATIONIS." JOHN DEARDEN, DEARDEN, F.R.C.S. Church, near Acerington, April 7th, 1880. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—The cases of " Herpes Gestationis" narrated by Dr. THE LONDON HOSPITAL.-The committee repretanley Gale in THE LANCET for April 17th appear to illustrate some points of interest in the physiology of the repro- senting employes of the Great Eastern, London, Tilbury and Southend, and North London Railwaysannounce that ductive system. the next annual ballad concert, in aid of the funds of the In each instance the eruption began to appear shortly London Hospital, will take place at St. James’s Hall on before delivery (three or four days) ; recurring with several Tuesday, May 4th next. ,
.