The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-14

MS Column.
psoriasis, the feet with ringworm
to give q few examples Of the
loealizing disposition. And as for
age distribution-the infant has
impetigo, the adult psoriasis and
the aged keratosis.
The disease special and peculiar
10 the period of youth and ado
leseence is acne, or pimples. And
that fact must certainly be taken
into account in any theory Of the
cause and treatment OF this pecu-
liar disorder. 20 put it differently,
at the very period when the duct
less GLAND system Is maturing and
rising 10 lather OF activity OF
secretion, trying to adjust itself,
sometimes producing too much OF
this and sometimes too little, the
skin responds in this unsightly
manner.
OF course, that it Is q condition
of adolescence is Of fundamental
Importance in the understanding
Of the psychology and handling OF
these patients. In the springtime
Of life when q lovelier iris should
come upon the FURNISHED dove,
when the frog he would q wooing
go, when the ego sprouts as the
cedars Of Lebanon, this is the very
aeeursed time when the face is
covered with this red, splotchy,
pimply breaking out that is re-
pulsive even in the victims own
mirror, let alone to the only girl
or boy, as the case may be, in the
world. No wonder the poor kids
are plunged into dark despair and
have TO be handled very gently
and alphabetically.
Causes of Acne
In spite Of the many and often
conflicting explanations Of the
causation Of acne there is a pri-
mary change in the skin in all
cases according to an eminent der
matologist. That basic change is
an increase in the horny cells at
the opening of the grease glands
Of the skin.
This change it has been OBJ
served is identical with the
changes that occur in the skin in
Vitamin A deficiency. Since every
aspect of the condition indicates
some underlying disturbance Of
nutrition it may be that some
thing like 4 difficulty in absorbing
or utilizing Vitamin A is present
On this theory a series Of 100
cases Of acne were treated by sup
plementing the diet with a daily
addition Of 100000 units Of Vita
min A. Following treatment for
six months it is reported that rs
became free, or nearly free, OF
acne, and only three patients
were unimproved. There is some
exaccerbation Of the condition at
first with this treatment for q
month or two in some of the pa
tients, then the formation Of new
comedones, papules and nustules
gradually recedes.
Treatment of Acne
General measures for the treat
ment of acne are always indicated.
The diet should be regulated, but
not TO the point where it is made
quate. The general health should
not suffer in trying to get rid OF
the unsightly eruption because in
the course Of time it will 60 away
anyhow. Many Of the patients are
found TO be drinking too much
milk under the impression that 1t
is wholesome. Milk, chocolate,
peanut butter and nuts have q
reputation for making the eondi.
ton worse.
The care Of the scalp 10 essen
tial in tie successful management
Of acne. This applies equally to
the treatment Of seborrheic der
mathis Of the face. Most Of the
patients are beset with dandruf
accompanied by itching.
Washing the face twice OF three
times daily with q neutral soap
which the patients have learned
will not irritate their skins is in
dictated. Do not irritate the skin
Of the face by vigorous rubbing
with q wash cloth.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
c. N. BIS there a positive
test for undulant fever? What are
the symptoms Is there q cure for
1t?
Answer: The blood agglutina-
ton test is reliable. The symptoms
are most usually no more than
fever and fatigue. Recovery is the
rule with good nursing care. There
IN M spacifn traatnnant