DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS (Duhri.g) Hydroa pruriginosa (Tilbury Fox), Dermatite polymorphe pruri gineuse chronique poussks successives Jlallopeau), Dermatite polymorphe douloureuse (Broeq).
Under the name of dermatitis herpetiformis, Duhring in Philadelphia has described au affection which occurs comparatively infrequently in children. It is distinguished by its many varieties of form but the herpetic (annular) arrangement of its vesicles is characteristic. In this affection are combined all forms of dermatitis (urticaria, ery-thema, pustules, papulous manifestations along with eczematous ones), occur ring simultaneously or separately. The affection is accompanied by slight fever, considerable itching and burning; the eflloreseenees rnay heal, but always recur in the same or a different arrangement. There are continually fresh paroxysms, patients scratch the efiloreseences open so that secondary inflammatory manifestations (pustulous or impetiginous, etc..) are found interspersed everywhere. The affection
is chronic.
Dermatitis herpetiformis, of which about sixty eases have been reported to have occurred during childhood, occurs chiefly in boys (Mevnet et Pau: 17 boys as against 7 girls), and at every age during childhood. Nearly all patients possess a certain degree of nervousness or are the offspring of nervous parents. IIeredity, too, seems to play a cer tain Me. Nothing definite is known as to its connection with vaccination, Etiology.—The etiology is unknown (intoxication neurosis?) Prognosis benign, aside from chronicity and difficulty in curing the disease.
Treatment.—By the administration of arsenic and strychnine, general dietary- rules and due attention to the intestine, the general condition should be improved. Baths ancl medicaments to relieve the itching should be prescribed (sulphur, tar, etc.); the affected part should be bandaged in order to effect the healing of the dermatitis.