S K I N P R O B L E M S 37

are so often reticent, bottled up, tense and even resentful of some situation involving their family or a boy frieDd. Never forget tha t a skin lesion may well be only the tip of the iceberg giving you a signal to probe quietly and tactfully into the real underlying problem, perhaps over several consultations. I f it is there and can be discussed and faced up to, the patient is eternally grateful and the skin lesion disappears.

A lady of 57 had persistent dermatitis of her palms and fingers with itch and pairffnl cracks. She had tried various ointments over a period of 2 years with only temporary relief.

She was a small active woman who had quite a lot of stress and worry at home. She disliked stuffy atmospheres and was fond of salt and tas ty foods. She was tense, easily startled, constantly rushing and keyed up. She was frightened of shut-in places, tended to keep her feelings to herself, and wished she could weep, but was unable to do so. Nitric acid and Petroleum were given with slight benefit, but once she got Nat. tour. she made rapid progress and her hands healed up. What pleased her most was the fact that even under stress and emotion her skin did not break down.

In this short paper I have tried to describe an approach to skin conditions, the need to eliminate causal factors where possible and the importance always of looking at the patient as a whole and not just his local lesion. Often these cases are difficult, sometimes we fail, but when a response occurs it is of immense satisfaction to both doctor and patient.

DR. JAMES CAMPBELL MACKILLOP SCHOLARSHIP

At the request of the many patients, friends and colleagues of the late Dr. James Campbell MacKillop, a scholarship has been endowed in his name to enable a British doctor to s tudy Homceopathy a t The Royal London Homceopathic Hospital for the Long Course.

All colleagues, friends and patients of Dr. MacKillop who would like to make a contribution to this memorial should send their donations as soon as possible to Col. M. C. Barraclough at The Homceopathic Research and Educa- tional Trust, t t ahnemann House, 2 Powis Place, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HT marked: James Campbell MacKillop Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship of s a term will be advertised in the medical press and will be awarded by the Faculty of Homoeopathy to the best applicant to have applied by 10 January 1977 for the winter term which commences on 17 January 1977.

Doctors wishing to apply for the scholarship award should send a Curriculum Vitae to Col. M. C. Barraclough as soon as possible, which will be submitted to the Dean and Council of the Facul ty of I-Iomceopathy. Closing date for candidates to submit their application for the winter term: 10 Janua ry 1977.

A scholarship will also be awarded for the summer term commencing 18 April 1977 for which application may also be made.

15 December 1976