X-ray Treatment of Ringworm of the Scalp: A Survey of 2,200 Cases

Shanks, S. Cochrane (1931) X-ray Treatment of Ringworm of the Scalp: A Survey of 2,200 Cases. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The following is an account of the technique used and results obtained in a series of 2200 cases of ringworm of the scalp personally treated by the writer at the dermatological institution of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. Observation of the cases has been facilitated by the fact that all the cases, with very few exceptions, were in-patients, the institution combining the functions of treatment centre and Childrens' Home. Despite the advent of thallium acetate, X-ray depilation still remains the main weapon in the armamentarium of the dermatologist in the treatment of tinea tonsurans, and seems likely to do so, in view of certain defects in the thallium acetate method - notably that of too early regrowth of the hair, and consequent re-infection from retained stumps. The chief advantage claimed for thallium acetate is its practibllity as a method in very young children. It is widely held that it is not possible to irradiate the scalps of children below three years of age. Below will be found a description of the writer's method of restraint of young patients: a method by which the patient can be kept absolutely still during the exposures, and that without harm or discomfort. By this means it is also possible safely to restrain imbecile children of any age within the limits of the Incidence of tinea tonsurans. In the writer's view, X-rays should therefore be preferred to the thallium acetate method in all cases. It is possible through accidental overdosage to kill a patient with the latter: the worst that can happen with Irradiation is an X-ray burn. The chief disadvantage of the X-ray method is the difficulty of arriving at the required accuracy in dosage. The margin of safety is small. Irradiation of the scalp for tinea tonsurans is, in brief, by far the most critical of all X-ray therapy. The percentage of accidents is fortunately small, but they do occur, and in fairness to the patient's parents, and as a safeguard the operator, the parents should be warned of the risk.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Pathology
• Date of Award: 1931
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1931-79910
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79910