The present study was aimed to assess the cell-mediated immune response under PHA stimulus in leprosy patients and healthy contacts. Twenty-one cases suffering from leprosy were included in the study. They were diagnosed clinically by skin biopsy,. smear examination and lepromin reaction. Five cases had lepromatous, 7 borderlines and 9 tuberculoid leprosy. Eleven were healthy contacts. Lepromin reaction was negative in 5 patients in lepromatous group while it was positive in the other patients and healthy contacts. Blastogenic transformation was depressed only in patients with lepromatous leprosy. In tuberculoid and borderline cases, lymphocytes exhibited similar reactivity with PHA as was shown by the controls. Healthy contacts of lepromatous leprosy patients were leprom'm positive and did not show any C M I depression. it is suggested that depression of PHA response may develop after the on set of leprosy infection.

Antigen-impregnated discs (AlDs) have been developed to standardize the amount of antigen used for each patch test and also to make, the test far easier. in the first experiment, 800 patch tests were applied using, AlDs prepared for parthenium hysterophours, nitrofurazone, nickel sulphate, Potassium dichromate, Mercurochrome, acriflavine, garlic and onion, and the, results were compared with patch tests done with the corresponding standard antigens applied at the same, time in the same patients. In 780 instances, the results were similar with both Mvi of materials,- the:discrepancy being seen in only 20 cases. In a second experiment, AIDs prepared for nitrofurazone, garlic,, nickel sulphate, Calotropis procera, Mercurochrome and acriflavine were each divided into 3 s and stored at room 'soup temperature. 10 C and 420C respectively to study the I stability of AIDS under different climatic conditions. The results of patch tests with each of these'AIDS were compared with the standard antigens prepared at the same time and kept at IOOC. False negative patch tests were more frequent with the standard antigens indicating that AIDS are stable for at least I year at room temperature even when the environmental temperature is as high as 429C.

To find out the incidence of hypersensitivity to antimicrobial drugs patch tests with various commercially available antimicrobial agents were carried out in 112 patients suspected of contact sensitivity to these substances. Eighty eight patients showed positive reaction to one or more drugs. H incidence of contact sensitivity was observed with neomycin (48%), nitrofurazone (460/o) and bromsalicyl chloranilide (45%), while gentian violet gentamicin and povidone iodine were found to be the least sensitizers (5%, 6% and 70/o - respectively). Multiple hypersensitivity (four or more drugs) was observed in 25 patients and a large number of them had ulcers at the time of study or in the past.

A skin eruption simulating 'papular urticaria' was observed in 6% of 500 patients with cancer. Twenty seven of them had carcinoma affecting different organs, while 3 had lymphoma. Direct observation revealed that the skin lesions were the result of bites by the mosqmtoes. There was direct correlation between mosquito bite reaction and the response to iadermal tests with mosquito antigen , (MSA). The leucocytee migration inhibition test usmg MSA revealed the existence of cell mediated immunity to MSA in these patients with 'papular urticaria'. Specific treatment for malignancy apparently influenced the pattern of reaction to ID test as well as to mosquito bites. The histopathologic studies revealed non-- specific changes in the delayed papules after mosquito bites. The MAS test papules closely simulated morphologically and histologically, te delayed papules of mospuito bites. None of the 12 attendants of cancer patients who were exposed to similar environment as that of cancer patient, while in the ward or at home, developed similar reaction either to MSA or to direct mosquito bite. None of the healthy volunteers or patients with diseases other than cancer, developed similar reaction either to MSA or to direct bites by mosquities. The role of irradiation and malignancy in the abolition of 'Suppressor T cell" activity in the aetiology of these skin eruptions is discussed.

A double blind trial comparing clobetasone butyrate cream with hydrocortisone cream was undertaken in 21 children with bilateral eczema. The design of the study was controlled, double blind and randomised. Both the treatment significantly reduced the scores from intitial values and after lst, 2nd and 3rd weeks of treatment. At all periods, the reductions in pre- treatment total scores have been greater for Clobetasone as compared to hydrocortisone, the difference becoming significant at the end of 3 weeks of treatment. 63% patients showed preference to Clobetasone as against 37% who preferred hydrocortisone. No side effects were observed.

Successive estimation of B-glucuronidase, a lysosomal acid hydrolase was carried out in 20 cases of pemphigus, before and after,, administering corticostcroid, which is the drug of choice in the treatment of pemphigus. It Ls observed that there is significant decrease in this enzyme activity, when the lysosomal membrane stability' is maintained by adequate dosage of corticosteroids. The value of successive estimation of B- glucuronidase is discussed and the enzyme activity is suggested as a biochemical marker in assessing the response to treatment as well as maintainence therapy with corticosteroid.

A patient with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and palmo-plantar keratoderma is presented. Palmo-planta keratoderma is an unusual association with this disease. Atopic dermatitis was another associated condition in this patient.

A 40 year old male patient who developed pemphigus two years after developing squamous cell carcinoma of larynx is presented. The tumour was active at the time of development of pemphigus vulgaris Pemphigus lesions were controlled with corticosteroids even though the tumour continued to show activity.

A patient having Reiter's dsease manifesting as fever, arthritis and skin lesions failed to respond to adequate treatment with oxyphenbutazone, prednisolone, tetracycline, methotrexate, levamisol and haemodialysis in various combinations. Pulse therapy, however, consisting of intravenous infusions of 140 mg dexamethasone in 500 ml of 5% glucose on 3 consecutive days every month led to a dramatic improvement, The patient who was earlier bed-ridden because of, arthritis, was able to walk back home within'6 months. The side effects of systemic corticosteroids with this mode of treatment were far milder compared to the usual mode of therapy in spite of a much higher dose being used during pluse therapy.

Two cases of adult scletedema have been reported. The unusual electrocardiographic features and association with pulmonary tuberculosis in these cases of scleredema are described. The salient features have been highlighted and relevant literature has been reviewed.