Efficacy of ten topical corticosteroid preparations was evaluated on ten healthy volunteers by wheal suppression technique of Reddy and Singh motified by Singh and Singh. This double bind study revealed that clobetasol propionate (0.05%) and halcinonide (0.01%) oinment were the potent steroids i.e. 5 to 6 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%). Prednisolone (0.025%0 and hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%) were the least potent. The potency of other of other preparations such as fluocinolone acetonide (0.025%), betamethasone valerate (0.120/o), betamethasone dipropionate (0.64%), dexamethasone (0.04%), beclomethasone dipropiotiate (p.025%) and triamcinolone acetonide (0.1%) was in between. Mid potent steroids were, however 2 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate (1%) The potency Of these -three groups of steroid preparations were significantly different from each other . The most potent steroids showed maximum efficacy on the 6th day and the remainig steroids on 8th day of continuous application under occlusion.

A 15 year old boy had permanent flexion contractures at proximal interphalangeal joints of the little and ring fingers of both hands, along with slight hemiatrophy of face and bilateral mild ptosis. The hand deformity superficially resembled. Dupuytren's contacture. This combination of features does not fit with the syndromes described so far, whose one of, the components is camptodactyly.

Four cases of leukemia, 5 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 3 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma, developed maculo-papular rashes, papules, nodules, urticarial skin lesions and a plaque. Each of these on histopathology, showed a specific skin infiltrate corresponding to the malignancy.

One hundred patients suspected to be having contact hypersensitivity to topical medicaments were patch tested with methly and propyl parabens along with commercially available topical medicaments. Six patients showed positive reactions to parabens. Two patients each were positive to methyl paraben and propyl paraben and two showed positive reactions to both of these. Three patients each showed positive reactions to soframycin, econazole and nitrofurazone also.

A survey of 112 workers of a silk facory near Bangalore, for dermatologic diseases revealed (1) a characteristic wearing off of the medial halves of the distal free edges of the finger nail plates in 10 of the 15 cocoonsorters, (2) maceration of the palms in 58 workers of the boiling and reeling section, and (3) pitted keratolysis of the palms, in 42 workers, also from the boiling and reeling section. There was no clinical evidence of contact dermatitis, and patch tests with the silk thread from the cocoons in 25 workers showed a very mild reaction in 2 workers and a doubtful reaction in another two. In addition, one worker from the skeining section had crisscross superficial fissures on the finger tips caused by friction, two workers had paronychia 'of the fingers and four workers had dermatophyt*t fingers webs. As in the previous survey, these workers also had a high incidence of ichthyosis (92 workers )and hyperketatosis of the palms (62 workers) and soles (110 workers).

Four hundered cases of dermatophytoses confirmed microscopically, were analysed. it was more common in 11 to 20 years age group mid males. Females acquired tinea corporis more commonly. Tinea cruris was more frequent in males. Ma3dmum cases were of tinea cruris followed by tinea cruris et corpmis and tinea corporis in that order. the isolation rate on culture was 70.75%. The relative incidence of Trichophyton rubrum was maximum and it was found in all clinical entities.

Acute phase reactants i. e. ESR, C-reactive proteins, alpha 1 antitrypsin, complement (C3) and circulation immune complexes were evaluated in relation with the activity of the disease in leprosy. Levels of all the acute phase reactants were significantly raised during the active plase (LL and ENL), while these were normal during the arrested phase of the disease. Appearance of, circulating immune complexes also followed the same pattern. It is concluded that raised levels of ESR (C-reactive proteins, alpha-1 antitrypsin, complement (C3) and circulating immune complexes suggest active phase (LL ENL) of the disease in leprosy.

An improved method for evaluating the effect of treatment for premature grey hairs is described. The method consists of pulling out all the grey hairs in a patient and counting the number removed. Simultaneously, the converted hairs are also snipped at the grey-black junction and counted. After a gap of 3 months, the survey is repeated to count the number of hairs which have regrowing as grey hairs, the hairs which have become grey and also the hairs which have got converted into black during this period. Such surveys are repeated at 3 months intervals over a period of several years to see the progress of greying of hair in an individual and to evaluate the effect of various therapeutic procedures.

Four male young adults, after contact with prostitutes, developed clinically typical chancroid which was resistant to cotrimoxazole alone and also in combination with tetracycline. With chloramphenicol, the response was quick and complete with no untoward side effects.

Three patients developed recurrent irritation, redness and watery discharge from their eyes after using hard contact lens. Patch tests were positive with the material of the hard contact lens and negative with teepol, sodium lauryl sulphate and material of the soft contact lens. All the three patients became alright after they stopped,using hard contact lens.

A 35 year old male developed multiple, non-tender metastatic nodules on the skin overlying an adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland. The patient was still alive 2 years after clinical diagnosis.

A cam is reported in which p rosealike lesions appeared with captopril, a new an!lypertmgvc drug.