A practical and theoretical treatise on the diagnosis, pathology, & treatment of diseases of the skin : arranged according to a natural system of classification, and preceded by an outline of the anatomy and physiology of the skin / by Erasmus Wilson.

  • Wilson, Erasmus, Sir, 1809-1884.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical and theoretical treatise on the diagnosis, pathology, & treatment of diseases of the skin : arranged according to a natural system of classification, and preceded by an outline of the anatomy and physiology of the skin / by Erasmus Wilson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    cellular bullae, of the size of a split pea. On the third and fourth days, the serous contents of the vesicles become turbid and lactescent, and subse¬ quently sero-purulent. On the fifth or sixth day, a brownish crust is formed upon the affected surface, by the desiccation of the vesicles and their contents; and on the eighth or tenth the crust falls. The forma¬ tion of a crust may frequently be prevented, by carefully opening the vesi¬ cles as soon as formed, and by the application of a weak solution of sul¬ phate of zinc in cold water. When the crust is interfered with during its formation, and removed, a hardened scab is produced, which remains ad¬ herent for a much longer period than the natural crust. Herpes labialis is sometimes associated with aphthae of the mouth. HERPES PALPEBRALIS, NASAL1S, ET AURICULARIS. 266. An eruption of globular vesicles identical with those of herpes labialis is sometimes developed upon the upper eyelid, along the borders of the alae of the nose, or in the concha of the ear, in association with irri¬ tation or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye, the nares, and the external ear. The progress of the eruption is precisely similar to that of the preceding affection. HERPES PRiEPUTIALIS. 267. Like herpes labialis, the present variety may affect either the mucous or cutaneous surface alone, or both conjointly. The disease in this situation appears under the form of one or more red and well-defined patches of about the size of a sixpence, upon which the globular vesicles of herpes are developed. On the cutaneous surface the vesicles pass mildly through their course, the fluid is frequently absorbed, either in its serous or sero-purulent state, or they form thin, brownish scabs, which desquamate at the end of a week or ten days. On the mucous membrane the inflammation accompanying the eruption is somewhat more severe. The vesicles assume a larger size, become speedily lactescent and sero-purulent, and terminate in thin, brownish scabs. These are not unfrequently rubbed off previously to their natural desquamation, and leave behind them small excoriated surfaces, which might, by inattention, be mistaken for chancres. The symptoms accompanying both of these forms of eruption are, heat, itching, and often a pricking sensation. The disease is dependent for its cause upon friction with the dress in persons of great susceptibility of skin; contact with discharges from the vagina; neglect of habits of clean¬ liness; and irritation of the genito-urinary mucous membrane. Herpes praeputialis sometimes becomes chronic, and is then very difficult of cure. In its excoriated state, as I have before remarked, this eruption offers some risk of being mistaken for chancre. But the superficial ulceration of herpes, the occurrence usually of several small ulcerations in a cluster, and the uniform level of the exposed surface, are characters which con¬ trast very strongly with the chronic progress of chancre, its thickened