History:
At the discovery of Ringworm, doctors believed it was caused by worms, hence its name.
Ringworm was highly contagious in the 1800's, but little was known about the infection. Ringworm was common among poor people and was thought to be caused by poor diet and bad hygiene.
Barbers during this time were able to spread the infection from one person's head to another because of low sanitation of their razors and scissors. To treat the fungus, doctors would pluck the hair out individually or remove them simultaneously with a plaster.
Around 1843, David Gruby described a fungus that causes a certain ringworm.
Serious studies only started in the 1940's when the United States Military began contracting ringworm while stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.
In the 20th century, London had many special "ringworm" schools where schoolchildren would be brought to keep from getting Ringworm. Students were treated with x-ray therapy that helped ward off the infection. Although the x-rays helped to kill the fungus, the exposure became highly toxic.
Ringworm was highly contagious in the 1800's, but little was known about the infection. Ringworm was common among poor people and was thought to be caused by poor diet and bad hygiene.
Barbers during this time were able to spread the infection from one person's head to another because of low sanitation of their razors and scissors. To treat the fungus, doctors would pluck the hair out individually or remove them simultaneously with a plaster.
Around 1843, David Gruby described a fungus that causes a certain ringworm.
Serious studies only started in the 1940's when the United States Military began contracting ringworm while stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.
In the 20th century, London had many special "ringworm" schools where schoolchildren would be brought to keep from getting Ringworm. Students were treated with x-ray therapy that helped ward off the infection. Although the x-rays helped to kill the fungus, the exposure became highly toxic.