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. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ...the fourth to the eighth day, when the eruption is at its height; it remains in this way a few days, and then begins to decrease, the vesicles shriveling, and by the tenth day or so leaving brown crusts, which drop off. The vesicles do not burst, as do those of eczema. Ten days to three weeks is the average duration of an attack. The eruption does not always run a typical course. Only a few vesicles may appear, or they may abort before fully developing. On the other hand they may suppurate and leave scars, though the disease commonly leaves no trace. The neuralgia varies from a very slight tingling to the most excruciating pain. Herpes zoster may attack any part of the body, but is commonly found upon the trunk and head; less frequently upon the limbs. It follows very closely the course of the nerves, and the eruption is named according to the region upon which it occurs, as Zoster capitis, Zoster brachialis, Zoster facialis, etc. On the head it most frequently occurs in the course of the supra-orbital nerve, and it may affect the eye, giving rise to severe pain. On the head, both sides are sometimes affected; elsewhere the affection is almost always unilateral, so as to give rise to a popular superstition, that if the "shingles" (occurring on the trunk) should go all the way round the body the patient would certainly die. The chest is the commonest seat for the occurrence of the eruption; and the names formerly given to the disease, zona, cingulum, a girdle, indicate this. Involving the intercostal nerves, the neuralgia often causes the affection to be taken for pleurisy, until the eruption makes its appearance. When it occurs on the limbs the flexor surface is commonly attacked. It rarely occurs below the knee. The course of herpes...
