The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-22

Jumps ana OllsISIS. AONay VIC VS."
TO continue the subject and take
up the other forms.
Pimples or pustules on the
hands are usually due TO second
airy infection Of dermatitis. The
dermatitis may come from soap or
other chemicals.
Ringworm is possible on the
hands and may become infected,
producing pimples. The same
thing is true of scabies or the itch.
Plain old-fashioned smallpox may
appear on the hands in more pro-
fusion than anywhere else on the
body.
Scales - The commonest cause
Of scales on the hand is some form
IF eczema. Eczema is an old-fash-
ioned term which will probably
never go out Of usage, although
skin specialists are rather anxious
to discard it for the reason that
il is sort of a cloak for ignorance
and the eczema may actually be
due TO a chemical dermatitis or
some other form of irritation.
Psoriasis
The commonest chronic disease
which produces scaling on the
hands is psoriasis. Treatment in
the case of eczema or psoriasis is
dependent on the cause, the age,
and the condition Of the patient.
Ringworm is q very common
disease on the hands and produces
scales in certain cases. 1t will be
noticed that ringworm may pro-
duce nearly any kind Of an erup-
ton.
When crusts and assures ap-
pear in a localized area, cancer
must be thought of.
The commonest cause Of dry.
assured skin on the hands, how
ever, is too much soap and water,
especially laundry soap. The
treatment of this is protection
with rubber gloves.
Ulcers or open sores are caused
in most cases by cancer. Some
times contact infection must be
thought Of.
Chemicals such as lime or
.hrome will produce ulcers; so
also will tuberculosis of the skin,
and the so-called rabbit fever, or.
tularemia, usually begins as an
liberation on one of the fingers Of
LAr~A-sfo 49, lrnesAl
rabbit without wearing rubber
gloves.
Sears
Scars on the Hand-Scars are
very interesting to doctors because
they indicate the previous disease
which may have a bearing on pres
emit symptoms or manifestations
elsewhere in the body. Scars which
follow ordinary injuries with cut
ting of the skin or infection, and
produce the large giant scars
known as "keloids," may be very
troublesome. They usually can be
successfully treated with filtered
X-ray, especially in the younger
age group.
Disturbances of fermentation
of the hand with white spots and
liver spots are common but very
resistant to any kind of treatment
known 10 scientific dermatology.
Among other diseases which APP
pear on the skin of the hand but
which are caused by deeper
changes is so-called Raynauds
disease, due to blanching and pal
Tor Of one or more fingers. Some
times this occurs on exposure to
cold and cold water and sometimes
from emotional disturbances. 1t is
apparently a nervous disease af-
fecting the blood vessels. Treat
ment must take into account the
psychological factors.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
J. PHO settle an argument
kindly answer in your column
whether cancer is a contagious
disease or not, either directly or
casualty"
Answer-No, the nature Of can
GER is not at all like that Of con-
tagious disease. No germ has ever
been cultivated from it. Portions
OF cancer which have been trans
planted under the skin Of those
willing to make the experiments,
nave died out without producing
any cancer in the body. Thou
sands Of people have come in init
nate contact with cancer patients
or long periods of time without
letting the disease themselves.
ell and F. d. r Nineteen.forty.
our is liable TO be an altogether
ifferent thing.