SKIN DISEASES

Waipa Post, Volume 31, Issue 1765, 1 June 1926, Page 8

SKIN DISEASES

CAUSES AM) EFFECTS.

AX INSTRUCTIVE LECTURE

“The subject of skin disease is a very interesting one, said Dr. J. H. J. Beaumont, in a lecture delivered in Wellington recently, “because in contrast to other diseases, both the patient and, the doctor are able to see the effect of the disease, and to watch its progress. There can be no doubt about improvement or otherwise. The • subject is of particular interest to many because the disease is unsightly, the rash is often itchy, and there are usually constitutional effects. A small boil on the back of a man’s neck will often make a big difference in a man’s sen'se of well-being and temper. “Some skin diseases run their course in a very short time, others become chronic and may last for years. It has been said that dematology is a good thing to specialise in, because the patientfe seldom die, and often require long treatment. It is very important that advice should be sought early, or the disease may become chronic. moreover wrong treatment will often make the trouble worse and even obscure the diagnosis. Papules (that is spots) overlooked by the patients will be of most value in the diagnosis because they show the original untreated condition. “.Eighteen months ago I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Carrick Robertson, of Auckland, give his presidential address to the BJM.A. at the civic reception in the Auckland Town Hall. Dr. Robertson recalled the great things done in the war by the med.ical profession. Typhoid, which in the South African War killed twice as many men as bullets did, Wa s practically abolished, although the battlefields in Prance were heavily manured, while 'South African ground was mostly virgin soil. “ Tetanu s (lockjaw), which killed so many in the first year of the war, was almost non-existent" when every wounded man was injected with antitetanic serum. The science of bacteriology, advanced as much in the war as aircraft. The treatment of wound,s, compound fracturefs, and the use of artificial limbs, tissue grafts used in wounds of the face, advanced wonderfully, yet in spite of all this, people still go to the unqualified, people for treatment before going to a qualified doctor for a diagnosis.’ It is like setting a ship’s course without a map. “I will have to content myself tonight by speaking about all except the most rare skin diseases and dealing mostly with the diagnosis, owing ito lack of time. You all know the first principle of treatment is to remove the cause. The commonest cause of skin diseases is an infection. The infection may he with a microorganism, such as the staphylococcus aureus (as in boils), the infectious fevers such as scarlet, mea'sles, chickenpox, and smallpox, are due to organisms which are called filter passers, they are too small to be seen with the best micro'scopes. Infection may be with a fungus or a mould, as in ringworm. Parasites cause scabies, etc. Intestinal worms sometimes set up urticaria.

“Diet is another cause. It is generally the cau'se of urticaria (nettle rash). A man may be a great eater of oysters, yet he may suddenly become sensatised to oysters and suffer a severe attack of urticaria and not he able to take oysters again. Urticaria is characterised by numerous elevated wheals firm and elestic, white in the centre, with a reddish border, they are generally intensely itchy. Irritants may cause skin diseases such as the trade diseases.” The lecturer declared that there was no soap which might not irritate. Various dyes in clothing worn next the skin may be the cause of irritation, and the orange aniline dyes, and arsenical ones, are especially suspect. Cheap black stockings often contain the latter. A lady was attacked by what she called eczema of her face and hands, which was traced to Chinese primro'ses. “Other diseases may cause skin trouble,” continued, the doctor. “Itching is often the first sign o.f diabetes, and early diagnosis is of vital importance. Drugs sometimes causes skin rashes, especially bromide, iodides, and belladonna. Cancer often starts as a lesion of the skin, and if not diagnosed parlv it will be fatal. “Treatment of skin diseases must vary with the stage of the disease. One might think that the more severe the disease, the stronger the treatment. Unlike other diseases, the reverse is true in skin disease. In severe, pain-, ful affections. all treatment except the very mildest, such as a starch poultice. will make the condition worse. Stronger treatment may be adopted when the condition improves, hut if used too s oon the condition may ‘flare up’ again.”