Two Common Diseases of the Skin of the Feet

Abstract

T HERE are two common diseases of the skin of the which cause much discomfort and concerning which there is still much ignorance even among physicians and nurses; namely, ringworm and plantar warts. Ringworm of the and hands was forcibly called to the attention of the medical profession of America in 1915, by Ormsby and Mitchell, and since that time it has been generally recognized by dermatologists. At the present time many of the laity have some knowledge of the disease. A superfluity of names has been given: dermatophytosis, acute eczematoid ringworm of the hands and feet, as well as sand blisters, mud feet and the like. This disease is probably the commonest one in the world. At the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, over sixty per cent of the students were found to be affected and at Leland Stanford the percentage was even higher. Attention should be called to the fact that the disease is essentially one of the better classes of society, for in dispensary practice it is not especially common, while in private practice a routine examination of the will show at least thirty-five per cent of all persons past the age of twelve to be affected. In the Navy, this disease is the greatest single cause of disability among crews on tropical duty. In the vast majority of instances some one of the large group of ringworm parasites is responsible, but at times a yeast or even some of the common bacteria may be causative. The ringworm organism belongs to a low order of plant life and is classed among the fungi. But little is known