Fifty strains each of Staphylococcus aureus, beta haemolytic Streptococci, Proteus species, Esch coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were subjected to 2%, 1 % and 0. 1 % lactic acid in peptorie water. Minimum inhibitory concentration of lactic acid for all the strains of each of these organisms was 0.1% or 1%. Depending upon its concentration, lactic acid added to peptone water brings down the PH to 2.5-4 which by itself has some inhibitory effect on the microorganisms. Lactic acid however, retains its inhibitory effect even if the Ph of the peptone water is brought back to 7.3. Lactic acid is a nontoxic and non-sensitizing agent because it is a normal metabolite of the body. Thus, it can be used as a safe and effective antibacterial agent for local application.

Two hundred and twenty cases of pyoderma were investigated to study the bacterial aetiology. Folliculitis formed the largest-clinical group followed by infectious eczematoid dermatitis, secondary infection, impetigo, miscellaneous, furuncles and acne in descending order of frequency. A total of 172 micro-organisms were isolated from the infected specimens examined. A single infecting organism was isolated from 65.5% and more than one type of organism from 6.3% of cases. No organism was isolated from 62 (29.2%) cases, Coagulase positive staphylococcus was isolated from 107 (48.6%) beta haemolytic streptococcus from 18 (8.2%) and both these organisms from 11 (5%) cases. Coagulase positive staphylococcus (69.8%) was the predominant species followed by beta haemolytic streptococcus (17.4%), coaplm negative staphylococcus (8.1%) and alpha haemolytic streptococcus (4.7%). The antibiotic resistance pattern showed maximum resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and polymyxin. None of the strains was found to be resistant to cephaloridine, neomycin and kanamycin. Low percentage of strains were found to be resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, nitrofurazone, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and gentamycin. Of the strains of Staph. aureusphage typed, 35 (43.7%) were not typable, 15 (18.7%) belonged tophage group 111, followed by phage group II, group I and mixed group. The most prevalent phage type in group III was 42E,in group II type 3 C and in the group I type 52A. Multiple antibiotic resistant strains of staph aureus were found mostly in phage groups III and I and not in group 11.

Sixty five uncomplicated cases of psoriasis were subjected to standard and cortisone primed glucose tolerance test to study the association of of the disease with diabetes mellitus. The peak incidence of psoriasis was in early adulthood (26.1%). The c lesions were mainly as with micaceous, loosely adherent scales covering them (53.9%). Im-paired glucose tolerance test was detected in 19 (27.7%) cases, of whom )-5%, m4. 12.3% latent and 13.8% latentcfwmicaf Les. Elevep out of 18 cases with glucose tolerance had extensive cutaneous lesions ( B). Ten out of 18 cases had glucose tolerance curve with sharp rise followed first by lag phase and then decline phase with blood sugar remaining above fasting level. The incidence of diabetes in psoriasis was more in, persons above 40 years of age (35.7%).

Twenty two untreated cases, of proved tuberculoid leprosy and five healthy persons in the control group were studied histopathologically for involvement of the lymph nodes. 54 % (12 cases) in the study group showed positive evidence of lymph node involvement. Ten patients (45.45%) showed the presence of granuloma in the lymph nodes. Eight (36.36%) had acid fast bacilli in the lymph nodes: six (75%) of them had granulomas as well and in two cases (25%) bacilli were present without granulomatous foci. There was no evidence of tuberculosis. In the control group none showed any pathology in the lymph nodes. In two cases, the leprous granuloma and bacilli were seen in lymph nodes which were outside lymphatic drainage area of the cutaneous lesions. 36.84% of these cases also showed evidence of leprous pathology in the liver.

I Employing psoralen plus solar irradiation therapy in 20 patients with plaque psoriasis, improvement was noted in 55% of the patients. The overall improvement rate was however higher (95%) with coal tar plus solar irradiation treatment in the other group of 20 patients. In both groups, improvement in 20% of patients each could be discounted on account of the natural course of the disease. One patient in the psoralen group went into erythroderma and another could not tolerate the drug because of marked nausea, headache and gw&ncss - Perhaps, the UVA in th sunlight is not sufficient and a high intensity 11,VA source is required to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of psoralen treatment. For want of information on toxic effects of such a therapy and until the time such a source is available tar ointment or baths in conjunction with sunlight seems a good altemative.

Gonorrhoea constitutes nine per cent of the sexually transmitted diseases seen at the department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nair Hospital, Bombay. Fifty cases of uncomplicated males were treated with doxycycline 200mgs iv on the first day and 100 mgs, iv for 2 more - a total of 400 mgs doxycycline. Smears for gonococci and blood V D R L were treatment. The cases were reviewed every week for a period 3 weeks. Three cases showed a positive serology and 44 cases responded well to therapy giving a success rate of 88%. Side effects were minimal.

Attempts to develop drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral infections have faced variety of problems different firom those encoun'tered in the development of other type of antimicrobial agents. There are difficulties and consequently slow progress in the discovery of drugs which inhibit viral growth. Viruses have to strictly depend on living cells for replication. The narrow margin between the therapeutic dose of antiviral agents and lethal dose to the cells themselves is one of the major problems encountered in the development of viricidal drugs. Present day therapy in viral diseases is discussed in this paper with a review of the literature.

Fundamental factors influencing formation and subsequent behaviour of melanin are enumerated. Three most favoured hypotheses rea ng etiology of vitiligo are - 1 vitiligo is gardi an autoimmune disorder. 2. vitiligo is a neuro7 genic disorder. 3. vitiligo is caused as the result of self destruction of tnelanocytes. Steroids have proved very effective, in acute phase of autoimmune diseases and have anti-inflarnmatory action. On the assumption that these factors might be operative in, some vitiligo cases, ACTH therapy was instituted in, 27 cases. Effectiveness of treatment and untoward reactions have been discussed as also, some cases reports. It is concluded that the treatment is effective and duration of therapy considerably reduced.

From the face of each of 9 patients having rosacea-like lesions the follicle mites identified as Demodex folliculorum (DF) (Simon) were in varying numbers. In our control cases no mites were demonstrated from similar sites. Treatment with one percent lindane (Cosmascab lotion-Napha) applied locally for seven consecutive days improved the condition in all patients.

Seven cases of peyronie's disease have been reported. In 57% cases the onset of the disease was in the 4th decade of life. All the cases had painful erection along with curvature of the penis, resulting in secondary impotence. None of the patients had calcification in the penis. Brief review of the literature is given.

A case of solitary neurofibroma in the oral cavity of a middle aged female is reported with a brief review of the relevant literature.

A patient with chronic miliary tuberculosis is being reported. The patient had miliary mottling of the lung, tubercular lymphadenitis, cervicitis and disseminated lupus vulgaris of skin lesions.