Onychomycosis

This term is used to designate disease of the nails due to the attack upon them of vegetable parasites. The name of the fungus is the achorion.

Speaking generally, the effect of the attack of the fungus upon the nail is to thicken it, to render it brittle, to break it up into layers, and to make it opaque, or it may be yellowish. The seat of the fungus growth is shown in some cases in the early stage by yellowish specks imbedded in the nail, and the fungus oftentimes attacks in the first place the side or the part near the root of the nail, giving rise to a certain amount, it may be, of inflammation and discomfort.

This condition of nail has been produced in those who have attended to children's heads affected with ringworm, in one or more nails, and as an independent state of disease or preceded by tinea circinata of the fingers or back of the hand, which has spread to the nail, and in that way infected it.