TREATMENT OF HYPERHIDROSIS AND SYMMETRIC LIVIDITIES OF THE FEET

Abstract

IN THE course of a study of dermatophytosis in the infantry troops at Fort Benning, Ga., numerous cases of severe inflammation of the feet were encountered which could not, on the basis of our evidence, be ascribed to fungous or to pyogenic infection or to sensitization to footgear. It appeared that the essential cause was hyperhidrosis. The cases were of two types. DIFFUSE HYPERHIDROSIS The larger group was of men who showed excessive sweating of the entire foot. The skin was often macerated. There was frequent erythema and edema of the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the toes and often denudation of the corneal epithelium and fissures on the webs of the toes. In a number of men definite nonsuppurative cellulitis of the toes developed. All toes were uniformly involved, and the complaints of the men were of burning and pain rather than of itching. In 201 such cases fungi