Ten preserved biopsy suspensions from leprosy patients were inoculated in biphasic medium and incubated alternatively in refrigerator and at 37 °C. The cultures were observed every week for 3 months. The typical actinomycetoid growth appeared within 3-5 days. Microscopically, two types of cysts (unstained and dark) were seen along with oval cells. Dark cysts showed developement of irregular septae or cracks breaking the mass into irregular quadrangular pieces. Granular acid-fast material could be made out inside the cracks and around the cysts. Oval cells were seen either independently or organised around pink homogeneous material. The oval cells were stained blue or pink. Some of them showed both blue and pink shades.

Lichen simplex chronicus is classified as a skin disorder determined or influenced by emotional factors. This study was conducted to determine the involvement of the psyche in this psychocutaneous disorder. Forty six patients of lichen simplex chronicus were chosen for this study. The severity of pruritus was rated on a 10 point scale. They then underwent a psychiatric interview using the Hamilton anxiety-depression scale to quantitate their mental state. The numerical values of anxiety and depression did not exceed 50% of the measuring scale. This could be due to the 'venting' or exteriorisation of the inner turmoil, in this case by itching. The correlation between anxiety and pruritus and that of depression and pruritus was studied and it was surmised that depression may be related to pruritus compared to anxiety.

Oral leucoplakia was predominantly seen in elderly age group. Addiction to tobacco was observed in majority of patients (80.8%). Clinically commonest site of involvement was buccal mucosa (67.33%), followed by labial mucosa (13.86%). Majority of patients (57.35%) were having homogenous type of leucoplakia, followed by verrucous variety (25%). 26-48% cases were also having oral submucous fibrosis. Histologically various combinations of hyperkeratosis, hyperorthokeratosis and acanthosis were observed in 77.93% of cases. Dysplastic lesions were reported in 17.65% cases. In 80% of dysplastic lesions, band like infiltrate of mononuclear cells in subepithelial zone was seen. Malignant transformation was noticed in 2.94% cases. Excellent therapeutic results were obtained by cryosurgery. In resistant cases good results were observed with high dosage of vitamin A.

The clinicomycological study was conducted on 200 cases of Tinea capitis in Jodhpur. Incidence of tinea capitis among superficial mycoses was 4.43 and male to female ratio being 1.8:1. Majority of patients were from urban area (88%) and positive family history of dermatophytoses was present in 29% of cases. Majority of patients attended hospital OPD from July to October (39.%%) and January to April (49%). Persons using mustard oil as hair applicant had single or less lesions as compared to individual using other oil. Endothrix involvement of hair was seen in 78% cases and Trichophyton violaceum was predominant fungus (88.5%) recovered on culture.

Sixty patients with palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis were studied to compare the efficacy and safety of topical methenamine in the treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis with established therapies like glutaraldehyde and tap water iontophoresis. Patients were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups: topical Methenamine (10%) solution, topical Glutaraldehyde (5% for palms and 10% for soles) and tap water iontophoresis. Hyperhidrosis was graded into 4 grades. The total duration of therapy was 4 weeks for all the 3 groups. Patients were followed up weekly for 4 weeks and 2 weeks after completion of therapy. Response to therapy was evaluated by the change in the grade of hyperhidrosis. Side-effects like irritation and pigmentation were looked for at every follow up. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used for comparison between changes in grading of 2 groups. It showed that methenamine is superior to tap water iontophoresis and acts faster than glutaraldehyde. Fewer side effects were noted with mether amine.

Atypical facial lupus vulgaris is described in two cases. The first case resembled sarcoidosis clinically and histologically but responded well to ATT. The second case whose clinical diagnosis of lupus vulgaris was confirmed therapeutically had an atypical histology.

Two classical cases of Reiter's disease, one successfully treated with methotrexate and the other with sulphasalazine are reported.

Most cases having air-borne contact dermatitis (ABCD) in India are considered to be caused by Parthenium hysterophorus. In some cases however, other plants have also been noticed to give positive patch test reactions. We are reporting two cases presenting as ABCD who showed positive patch tests with Xanthium strumarium while the patch tests with Parthenium hysterophorus were negative. It is therefore necessary to realise that every case of ABCD is not caused by Parthenium, and patch testing with Parthenium alone can lead to serious mistakes.

We are reporting a case of solitary persistent left-sided endoareolar congenital milia in association with no serious malformation or abnormality of any structure except the presence of naevus spilus, on the back of the ipsilateral forearm.

A 24-year-old male presented with numerous progressive warty lesions mainly involving the limbs of 6 years duration. There was absence of family history of the disease. Presence of keratotic lesions and histopathology led to a diagnosis of acrokeratosis verruciformis.

A 70-year-old male presented with recurrent ulceration on lower leg, extensors of forearms, arms, forehead and elbows with cigrette paper scarring. Palatal and nasal septal perforations, sudden blindness in one eye, hepatosplenomegaly, anterior bowing and thickening of tibia (sabre tibia) were present. VDRL and TPHA were positive.

We report a two and a half year old male child with dystrophy of all the nails, absent patellae and iliac horns. In addition he had dysmorphic facial features, sparing of lunula and bilateral hallux valgus deformity, hitherto not reported earlier.

A male labourer aged 30 years, presenting with multiple lesions characteristic of molluscum contagiosum over face along with warty lesions on upper arem and psoriasiform lesion over extremities and trunk associated with fever, anorexia, malaise, loss of weight, bloody diarrhoea, lymphadenopathy and pneumonitis, was detected to be seropositive for HIV spot test and Elisa test confirmed by Western blot test.

Milia en plaque is an unusual presentation of milia. The exact pathomechanism and reason for postauricular localization is not yet understood. Faster resolution of lesions after usage of trichloracetic acid alongwith topical tretinoin was encouraging and may be used as adjunct in treatment of milia.

A 35-years-old female patient had generalized pruritic papular lesions, distributed like dermatitis herpetiformis for last 4 years. Histopathologic changes were typical of granuloma annulare with negative results of direct immunofluorescence. The patient did not have association of diabetes mellitus or any other systemic disease. She failed to respond to dapsone therapy and 13-cis-retinoic acid.

A 60-years old male patient presented with nodules and noduloulcerative lesions of mycosis fungoides (MF) of 6 months duration without any previous premycotic, patch or plaque stage.

The occurrence of porokeratosis of Mibelli in all members of a family when only one parent (mother) had the disease is reported. The 17 members of the third generation are still under 17 years of age and have not revealed any lesions of porokeratosis.

A 37-year-old labourer developed longitudinally split dystrophic nail with blackish discolouration in the centre 5 months following blunt trauma to the right thumb nail. Six months later, a well defined exudative erythematous to violaceous nodule developed and this recurred inspite of repeated surgical interventions. Patient had large, firm to hard epitrochlear and axillary lymphadenopathy. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma.

A 31-year old Muslim male presented with congenital leopard vitiligo associated with multiple sclerosis. Five other family members had similar cutaneous lesions since birth. The disease appeared to be transmitted by autosomal dominant pattern with variable penetrance.

A case of ainhum occuring in supernumery fingers bilateraly in a thirteen year old girl is presented.

Macular atrophic lesions coexisting with comedonal lesions are described in a case of acne vulgaris.

A 22-year-old boy having two attacks of urticaria per day for the last 5 years and intermittent attacks of sneezing and rhinorrhoea, and without any clues to the causative agent in spite of a detailed history and follow up, showed almost complete relief on wearing an ordinary cloth mask for 3 days. He was subsequently trained to use the soft nasal filters and obtained almost 80% relief in urticaria and complete relief in rhinitis during the next 1 year. Wearing the mask for 2 days again led to complete relief and further training in the proper use of the filters was helpful.