Impetigo Contagiosa

Impetigo Contagiosa, a disease of the skin. It consists of crops of pustules, which may either be scattered or collected in groups. These pustules burst, dry up, and become covered with scabs or crusts of a yellow colour, not unlike little masses of candied honey. From beneath these crusts a purulent discharge commonly exudes; the crusts become thicker and larger, and the skin beneath them is red and raw. The disease is most common in childhood, and generally arises in ill-fed, ill-cared-for children; but it may be transmitted by contact to adults. The head and face are most commonly affected. Local treatment consists in removal of the crust by poulticing, and the application of white precipitate ointment. Attention must be paid to the general health; cod-liver oil and other tonic medicines are often desirable.