FAVUS (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. for

See also:

• HONEYCOMB

honeycomb)  , a disease of the scalp, but occur-ring occasionally on any part of the skin, and even at times on mucous membranes . The uncomplicated appearance is that of a number of yellowish, circular, cup-shaped crusts (scutula) grouped in patches like a niece of honeycomb, each about thesize of a split pea, with a hair projecting in the centre . These increase in size and become crusted over, so that the characteristic lesion can only be seen round the edge of the scab . Growth continues to take place for several months, when scab and scutulum come away, leaving a shining bare patch destitute of hair . The disease is essentially chronic, lasting from ten to twenty years . It is caused by the growth of a fungus, and pathologically is the reaction of the tissues to the growth . It was the first disease in which a fungus was discovered—by J . L . Schonlein in 1839; the discovery was published in a brief note of twenty lines in M-iillers Archiv for that year (p . 82), the fungus having been subsequently named by R . Remak •Achorion Schonleinii after its discoverer . The achorion consists of slender, mycelial threads matted together, bearing oval, nucleated gonidia either free or jointed .

The spores would appear to enter through the unbroken cutaneous

surface, and to germinate mostly in and around the hair-follicle and some-times in the shaft of the hair . In 1892 two other species of the fungus were described by P . G . Unna and Frank, the Favus griseus, giving rise to greyish-yellow scutula, and the Favus sulphureus celerior, causing sulphur-yellow scutula of a rapid growth . Favus is commonest among the poorer Jews of Russia, Poland, Hungary, Galicia and the East, and among the same class of Mahommedans in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, Persia, Egypt, Algiers, &c . It is not rare in the southern departments of France, in some parts of Italy, and in Scotland . It is spread by contagion, usually from cats, often, however, from mice, fowls or dogs . Lack of personal cleanliness is an almost necessary factor in its development, but any one in delicate health, especially if suffering from phthisis, seems especially liable to contract it . Before treatment can be begun the scabs must be removed by means of carbolized oil, and the head thoroughly cleansed with soft soap . The cure is then brought about by the judicious use of parasiticides . If the nails are affected, avulsion will probably be needed before the disease can be reached .