From what has been said it is evident that the treatment of this disease must of necessity be palliative rather than curative. The improvement of the patient's general health by a hygienic and tonic regimen will usually accomplish more than the administration of arsenic or any other drug. Meanwhile the comfort of the patient can be greatly increased by baths and inunctions tending to soften the dry, harsh skin and to lessen the pruritus.
Lichen planus is a disease which is entirely distinct in nature
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Fig. 50.—Moniliform lichen ruber.
from lichen ruber, although the two affections have been considered as clinical forms of the same disease by many European writers. This erroneous view has led to considerable confusion of dermatological literature. The typical lesions of lichen planus are small, flattened, angular papules with a shining surface and a minute central depression. Those of lichen ruber, on the other hand, are usually acuminate, although in rare cases they may appear flattened and smooth. The eruption in lichen planus commonly presents a purplish or lilac hue, which is very
