LUPUS, a generic term used to describe several varieties of chronic localized infiltrations of the skin. The most common of these are Lupus erythematosus and Lupus vulgaris. The former occurs in slightly elevated, scaly, red patches, varying in size, which show a strong tendency to the production of atrophic scars. It is most common on the face, ears and scalp, more rarely occurring on the hands and feet. It begins in several isolated or grouped red spots little larger than a pin-head and having a thin scale. These spots increase in size by peripheral extension, while the surface is partly covered by the grayish scales or thin scar tis sue. The color is characteristic and is viola ceous. They may remain small, or may large enough to cover the side of the face. Practically nothing is known of the etiology. The comparatively small patches have little effect on health, but the disseminated variety may cause death.
Lupus vulgaris is a chronic disease of the skin, due to its invasion by the tubercle-bacillus; characterized by one or more brownish-red lumps or patches that tend to absorption, ulcer ation and scar formation. The disease usually begins in childhood, the most frequent site be ing the face, particularly the cheek and nose. There may be one or more such spots, but they show no tendency to symmetrical development. After a time slightly scaly patches will form by the coalescence of the tiny red spots. Some times the disease has a slow course, for years remaining quiescent; in other cases it suddenly takes on a rapid growth. The erythematous form is treated by superficial caustics. Lupus vulgaris being a tubercular disease, hygiene is of great importance, and the X-rays and other powerful rays seem to exert a curative in fluence on the growths.