Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ...which caused the disease must be the main object of our attack. PSORIASIS. Although in all likelihood psoriasis is merely the extremely dry type of seborrhceic dermatitis, this is by no means generally admitted, and it is such an old-established condition, and presents so many marked characteristics, that in spite of what time may show regarding it, it is desirable that it should have a section to itself. The disease requires little description; everyone is familiar with the dry silvery scales and the red circular patches of psoriasis. The varieties of it are infinite, from minute scaly spots (Plate IX) on the patient's chest, up to large patches on the back as much as a foot in diameter (Plate X). While the silvery scales are usually prominent, there occur cases where they are not actually visible. In such cases they can be at once brought into view by lightly scratching the part with the back of the finger nail. This as a test for psoriasis is of much more value than the old one of removing the scales with the nail and disclosing small bleeding points, for that phenomenon entirely depends on the vigour with which the part is scratched. The disease affects both sexes and all ages, although it is most common in young adults, and is rare under seven years of age. It is generally described as being distributed on the extensor surfaces, and as being most marked upon the elbows and knees, where it is usually said to commence. It will be found, however, that a great many cases admittedly com mence on the scalp, which is almost always affected, and this, of course, is another argument in favour of a relationship to seborrhceic dermatitis. When a section is examined, the appearances presented are very similar to those of the drier forms of that...
