Page:Skin Diseases of Children.djvu/55

 rubbed in where the skin is thin, or near it, as, for example, the axillae and flexures of the joints, it often excites a very unpleasant dermatitis for a few days; and when by chance a little of the ointment gets into the eye a very severe conjunctivitis often results. This chance is somewhat lessened by applying the drug in the form of a varnish composed of gutta-percha solution or collodion, but then its therapeutic effect is decidedly lessened. Upon the trunk and extremities a five or ten per cent ointment, made by rubbing up finely sifted chrysarobin in vaseline, can be advantageously used; but upon the scalp and face the ointment of ammoniated mercury will generally prove efficacious, and is to be preferred to the chrysarobin.

Prolonged baths are often of service in macerating the scaly patches, and, when the skin is not too irritable, soap frictions are valuable in removing the scales and preparing the skin for inunction. In many cases, however, owing to the intense congestion of the affected skin, a hot bran or alkaline bath will prove more agreeable than the use of soap.