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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    and raised edges, and the whitish appearance of its surface, produced by a false membrane. HERPES PUDENDALIS. 268. This affection presents all the characters of the preceding varie¬ ties, the vesicles appearing upon the integument and mucous membrane of the labia majora, or upon the internal surface of the vulva. In these situations, the eruption is often rendered obstinate by the continuance of irritation kept up by the secretions from the vagiqa. 2. Circinnate Group. HERPES ZOSTER. Syn. Zona. Zoster. Cingulum. Ignis sacer. Zona ignea. Zona herpetica. Shingles. 269. Herpes zoster, or shingles, is especially characterized by the arrangement of the inflamed patches with their clustered vesicles, in the form of a half-zone,* which extends around some part of the trunk of the body, from the middle line in front to the middle line behind. The erup¬ tion usually occurs at about the middle of the trunk. When it is deve- loped higher up, the patches take their course across the shoulder, and are frequently prolonged along the arm; and when it is situated in the lumbar region, they occasionally extend to the thigh and leg. In rare instances, the eruption is met with forming a-half collar to the neck, or a demizone around the face or head; it has also been observed upon one side of the scrotum, or penis. Sometimes it happens that the patches assume a longitudinal direction on the trunk, and this is their customary course on the limbs. Bateman noticed this arrangement as a variety, under the name of herpes proserpens. Herpes zoster occurs indiscriminately on either side of the body; by some authors, it is stated that the eruption appears, for the most part, upon the right side, while others contend that the left is the most frequently affected; my own experience corresponds with the latter statement. It is an acute disease, lasting from one, to three or four weeks. Herpes zoster, in the manner and course of its eruption, is identical with the typical form, herpes phlyctenodes, but more severe in its symp¬ toms. The patches by which it appears are of a vivid red colour, com¬ mencing usually at both extremities of the demizone, and proceeding outwards by successive eruptions, until they constitute, by their approxi¬ mation, an irregular line. The first formed patches are larger than those which succeed. The patches are perfectly distinct from each other, being separated, to a greater or less extent, by interstices of sound integu¬ ment. Shortly after the appearance of each patch, a number of small i t * An unfounded notion was prevalent amongst the older physicians, that if the zone encircled the entire body, the case would terminate fatally. Pliny, amongst others, refers to this prejudice.