Prognosis. Mild cases often go on to complete recovery, but a forecast as to the duration of an attack must be qualified, and also its liability to relapse. Acute pemphigus of septic origin, pemphigus vegetans and pemphigus foliaceus are usually fatal. Old age, general debility and chronic forms of long duration even though pronounced remissions occur, may be regarded as unfavorable factors.
Treatment. Internally, the regulation of diet and other physiological habits is to be urged, after careful examination of the patient’s history both past and present. This naturally varies greatly with the individual affected. Properly selected food, bodily and mental rest, frequently in bed, the use of such tonics as cold liver oil, iron, strychnin and arsenic may be indicated. Externally, cleanliness, protection of abraded surfaces and relief of subjective sensations, are desired. Warm alkaline, saline or soothing baths usually agree with these cases. For aggravated or universal pemphigus, the continuous hot water bath as employed in the hospitals of Vienna, wherein the patient lives for weeks or months, is of great service. In my own experience, potassium permanganate (1:5000) has been used as a bath for two hours daily with considerable benefit. In whatever way cleanliness is maintained, protection must be given to the surface afterward. This may consist in the application of starch powder alone or combined with zinc oxid, or oleate of zinc; simple lotions of glycerin and rose water; the calamine zinc oxide formula; sweet almond, cotton seed, olive or linseed oil or a simple ointment. Almost any application adapted to eczema may be useful in severe pemphigus, but the primary objects of local treatment are to be kept in view, for they have no curative action. There is no disease in which the internal remedy can be studied to a better advantage, for my own experience has been that it is the only reliable agent in curable cases. I might suggest Arsenicum, Bufo, Colchicum, Copaiva, Dulcamara, Kali brom., K. iod., Lachesis, Nat. sulph., Phosphorus, Rhus tox., Secale and Thuja.
American homeopath, he directed several hospitals in New York.
Professor of dermatology.
Served as Lieut. Colonel during the 1st World War.
See his book online: American homeopathy in the world war