Definition And Description

This affection is located in the genito-crural region, as its name implies, and usually commences as a slightly elevated patch at the upper part of the thigh near the scrotum. As the patch increases it pales in the centre, forming a ring whose advancing border is sharply defined, and more elevated than the other portions. As the ring increases in size it may extend to the scrotum, descend for some distance upon the thigh or mount upon the abdomen. A similar ring sometimes forms on the scrotum where it lies in contact with the thigh. Not unfrequently the other thigh and other side of the scrotum becomes affected in the same manner, thus giving the affection a somewhat symmetrical appearance. The natural moisture of the parts is increased by the irritation of the fungus, and together with the macerated scales, and perhaps crusts, may give the eruption somewhat the appearance of an eczema. As the affection advances, the hairs become disorganized as in the other varieties of trichophytosis, and papules, vesicles, and pustules may occur.

Diagnosis

The only affections with which it is possible to confound the one under consideration, are Psoriasis, Syphilis, and Eczema. As regards the first two, the history will usually suffice. Its close resemblance to eczema, however, led to its receiving at one time the name of eczema marginatum, and for some time it was a much debated question as to whether the affection were in reality an eczema or a trichophytosis. It is now almost universally conceded to be the latter, but that cases of eczema sometimes so closely resemble it that a practiced eye alone is able to distinguish the one from the other. The microscope, however, may be appealed to as a last resort.

Prognosis

The prognosis is usually good, the disease being curable, though sometimes tedious. If the parts be very hairy, epilation may be necessary, though I have never found it so, having thus far secured satisfactory results from the use of either ammoniated mercury or the yellow sulphate of mercury in ointment, either of which may be used in the proportion of one part of drug to twenty or thirty of excipient.

Baring considered the varieties in detail we revert to the disease in general. The different varieties exhibit certain predilections as regards age and sex. Thus T. capitis occurs specially in children and young persons, the oldest subject in which I have encountered it being seventeen years of age; T. barbae, for obvious reasons, occurs only in adult males; T. corporis may be met with in both sexes and at all ages; and T. genito-cruralis I have met with only in adult males, but know of no reason why it should not occur in adult females. Two or more varieties may coexist in the same patient, as for instance, T. capitis and corporis in children, and T. barbae, T. corporis, and T. genito-cruralis in adult males. In adult females I have met with T. corporis alone. The disease sometimes affects the lower animals, having been met with in the rat, cat, dog, calf, and horse. I have personally seen it on the two latter named animals.

sides the drugs already mentioned in connection with the treatment of Trichophytosis, the following have been recommended: Acidum A< icum, 5; Acidum Boracicum, 6; Acidum Carbolicum, 7; Acidum Chro-micum, 7; Acidum Chrysophanicum, 7; Acidum Sulphuroium, 11; Ammonii lodidum, 15; Anisum, 18; Calcii Sulphidum, 35; Cassia Alata, 40; Cocculus, 46; Cupri Acetas, 49; Juglans Nigra, 71; Ka-mala, 72; Oleum Oryzoe, 79; Potassa, 93; Sodii Hyposulphis, 106;

Sodii Salicylas, 107; Terebinthina, 110; Tong Pan Chong, 111.