Exposure time to sunlight for photo or photochemotherapy is arbitrarily determined. This could lead to inadequate or over exposure. As a sequence to our initial pilot study on exposure time for PUVASOL, we have now developed a bar chart which could be used as a guide to achieve a more logical and uniform exposure time during different months. We plan to extend the study to different zones in India.

Twenty three army recruits with acute meningococcal meningitis were admitted to a military hospital during February-March 1986. Of the 23 patients 11 developed cutaneous lesions, 3 had associated herpes simplex, 6 had arthritis/artharalgia and 3 got conjunctivitis. Maculopapular lesions were the commonest cutaneous manifestation although pinkish macules, purpura and cutaneous vasculitis were also seen. All the patients were treated with intravenous pencillin and other supportive measures.

In order to obtain proper judgement of bacterial quantum in human source (leprosy cases) a modification to Ridley's Bacteriological Index is suggested by applying formula as follows : Average Bacteriological Index of the group of patients X No. of patients in group X "scoring point" based on Ridley`s logarithmic Bacteriological Index scale.This new system based on arithmetic scale has been applied to multibacillary leprosy cases under multidrug therapy in leprosy colonies and leprosy control unit in an urban area. This comparison revealed that the introduction of multidrug therapy initiated a reduction in total bacteriological quantum very fast (i.e.) 100% to 5% at 12 months, 2.5% at 24 months in leprosy colonies where there was no entry of multibacillary case. However, in the urban slum there is an influx of new multibacillary cases every year, though bacterial quantum reduced as compared to initial status, it has remained static even at 60th month. The application of modified Ridley's Bacteriological scale to judge "total bacterial quantum : in any given control area gives a more realistic indication of the progress of MDT programme.

This study records the preliminary observation on neonatal dermatoses in relation to sex, birth weight and gestational age in 500 newborns delivered between August 1986 and September 1987 at JIPMER Hospital, Pondichery, Physiological dermatoses seen in 100% of the newborns, in the order of frequency were : linea nigra, Epstein's pearls, physiological scaling, milia and erythema toxicum. Salmon patches were the commonest vascular birthmarks (34.6%) Twenty-three per cent had transient neonatal angioma, an entity not described earlier. Infectious dermatoses observed were pyoderma (3%), staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, congenital syphilis, congenital candidiasis and a case of tinea corporis, probably the youngest described in literature. The commonest congenital malformation of the skin was absence of the outer fold of the helix (3.5%). An unusual case of aplasia cutis involving the scalp and both flanks associated with bilateral corneal opacities was observed.

Four cases of poikildermatous mycosis fungoides are reported. All four had intense pruritus, progressive reticulate pigmentation, interspersed with atrophic, wrinkled, hypopigmented macules and were confirmed histopathologically. Abnormal lymphocytes were seen in case 1 and 3 in the peripheral blood film (PBF). Case I had erythroderma, lymphadenopathy and 10 percent abnormal lymphocytes in PBF and so was labeled as case of sezary syndrome.

Photosensitive dermatitis in forty-five-year old man following topical application of selenium disulphide for tinea versicolor is reported.

A Patient working as sweeper inside Durgapur Steel Plant developed brownish black pigmentation with folliculitis of the entire face and volar aspect of fore arms and hands for last 4 years. Biopsy revealed particles in the corium. The change of his site of working brought about dramatic remission but brownish black pigment persisted as occupational stigma.

A case of superficial disseminated porokeratosis is described in a middle-aged male. He had associated maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. Patient's father and elder brother also had skin lesions typical of porokeratosis and they too had associated diabetes.

A case of cutaneous anthrax with pus formation and with pain and tenderness in local lesion is reported. The lesion appeared 40 days after handling of anthrax-infected animal. The lesion was fairly large and irregular. The patient was treated with oral chloramphenicol and the lesion healed in about 60 days.

Two cases of facial hemiatrophy of Romberg and Parry are reported. Both presented with atrophy of subcutaneous tissue, muscle and bones of left of the face. Case 1 with onset at 17 years in a female is a classical presentation, while case 2 with onset at 5 years in a boy is an uncommon presentation.

A typical case of favus of the scalp in a South Indian man is described. The etiological agents was demonstrated in the scrapings and Trichophyton schoenleinii was isolated in culture. The case is presented for its rarity in this part of the country.