Patch tests were undertaken with 16 condiments in 4 groups of patients which included exposed patients, exposed controls, unexposed patients and unexposed controls. As the interpretation of the positive patch test reaction was similar in both the unexposed patients and unexposed controls, these two were combined into one (unexposed groups). Positive reactions were obtained in a variable number of individuals in each of these groups but the tests were generally more frequently positive and more severe in the exposed patients and exposed controls, compared to the unexposed groups. The number of patients showing positive patch tests out of the total number tested in the 3 groups respectively, with each of the agents were, cinnamon 1 (9), 0 (11), 1 (7): coriander 3 (8), 4 (12), 1 (5); clove 2 (8), 3 (16), 0 (1); cumin seeds 3 (8), 4 (11), 1 (6); fennel 3 (9), 4 (16), 0 (1); small cardamom 1 (8),6 (17), 0 (0); large cardamom 3 (8) 3 (11), 0 (7); asafoetida 1 (5), 3 (7), 5 (13); Indian cassia 0 (2), 3 (16), 1 (8); mustard seeds 5 (8), 4 (15) 0 (2); red chillies 2 (7), 6 (21), 0 (0); turmeric 3 (6), 8 (15) 1 (5); tamarind 0 (3), 0 (6), 3 (16); dried mango powder 0 (2), 3 (6), 1 (17); Jaggery 0 (1), 2 (4), 2 (20) and ginger 7 (22), 0 (4), 0 (0). These were considered unikely to be irritant reactions, because in the case of irritant reactions, the frequency of positive reaction is expected to be much more. However, this could not be excluded completely without further studies with standardized antigens and their dilutions.

Cyclic administration of a combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol in 30 female acne patients led to a significant decrease of the cutaneous sebum excretion rate (SER) as assessed by the modified gravimetric technique. The mean percent reduction was 36.42 + 3. 07 at the end of 6 months, and, it remained reduced even after a treatment free period of 3 month. In comparison, tetracycline treated patients showed a slight rise in the SER that returned to near baseline values 3 months after cessation of the drug.

Twenty four patients having pemphigus vulgaris were treated with combined drug therapy consisting of oral prednisolone 1 mg per Kg body weight, cyclophosphamide 2.5 mg per Kg body weight and methotrexate 2.5 mg biweekly. The drugs were gradually tapered off to achieve a minimum maintainence dose of 10-15 mg prednisolone on alternate days at the end of 2 years of observation. The age groups of patients varied from 15 to 78 years. Maximum cases were between 31 to 50 years. There were 15 males and 9 females. T he duration of disease varied from 4 months to over 36 months at the time of reporting. Number of episodes recorded at the time of first presentation were one episodes in 6( 25%) and mutiple episodes in 18 (75%). The period of observation varied from 6 months to 27 months. Two patients relapsed at the time of observation. There has been remarkable response to treatment in the form of quick recovery from lesions without any significant side effects.

One hundred and fifty children having impetigo were investigated bacteriologically. Pure growth of staphylococcus aureus was found in 92 children, Streptococcus pyogenes in 39 children and both organisms were isolated in 19 children. Forty four per cent Staphylococcus aureus and 82% Streptococcus pyogenes were sensitive to penicillin. One hundred children were treated with injection benzathine penicillin and fifty cases treated with oral tablet sulfamoxole. Benzathine pencillin was effective in 92.3% cases irrespective of whether the staphylococci and streptococci isolated were sensitive to penicillin or not. Sulfamoxole therapy was effective in 64% children.

A retrospective clinical analysis of 66 patients with various bullous disorders seen over a period of 5 years in Benghazi, Libya showed that pemphigus vulgaris was the commonest disorder followed by buuous' petaphigoid. Other bullous dermatoses were rare. The clinical picture and treatment schedule with follow up of some patient is presented.

Survey of 115 silk workers near Guwahati (Assam) for their dermatologic problems revealed important differences from the problem faced by the silk workers in Bangalore (Karnataka). Prevalence of the two major dermatoses, maceratin and pitted keratolysis occurring in 51.8% and 37.5% of the workers at Bangalore, was seen in only 2.6% and 6.1% of the Assam workers. This is possibly due to the fact that at Guwahati the silk work is a cottage industry and every worker works in short spells of time rather than continuous 8 hour duty as at Bangalore.

A Chinese lady, fourth in a family of four unaffected brothers and six sisters affected with epidermodysplasia verruciformis was treated with aromatic retinoid (Etretinate) when she developed multiple recurrent squamous as well as basal cell carcinomas. Etretinate was effective in preventing the occurrence of cutaneous malignancies.

A 21 year old male was seen with typical oculo-dento-digital dysplasia. However, photophobia and corneal turbidity were additional features in our patient. These have not been reported earlier.

Three patients of herpes gestationis, a rare dermatosis of pregnancy, are being described along with a short review of literaure on the recent immunological backdrop. The characteristic periumbilical cutaneous lesions with classical buflae en cocade appeared during the third trimester of pregnancy and were controlled with corticosteroids. Classical histopathological basal cell necrosis in all the three patients and C3 deposition on dermo-epidermal interface in two patients were demonstrated. Post partum exacerbation was noted in all the three patients. Re occurred after 13 weeks in one patient, the rest did not report for follow up.

A middle aged person had, perforating chancre of the shaft of the penis. The underlying corpus cavernosum remained unaffected and could be seen through the perforation. There was no evidence of secondary bacterial infection or other concomitant venereal disease. Extreme necrosis of the ulcer due to obliterative endarteritis and impairment of healing due to ant fibroblastic activity of topical corticosteroid are suggested as possible factors in the development of perforation of the ulcer.

A 10 year old boy and his father presented with atrophoderma vermiculatum. The son had multiple pits preceded by horny papules since 5 years of age while the father 40 year old had honey comb atrophy on both cheeks. The histopathology of skin lesions revealed non-specific peri-follicular inflammation.

A 70-year old female had cutanoeous metastasis on the face and neck from carcinoma cervix She had itching and oedema of the face and neck which was waxing and waning, but persisted later on. There were no complaints regarding the primary malignancy, though carcinoma cervix stage llI was detected on routine examination. Histopathology of the region on the neck revealed a poorly differentiated carcinomatous deposit.

A 6 year old boy had gradually progressive, asymptomatic well defined, bilaterally symmetrical, erythematohyperkeratotic plaques over dorsa of hands, feet, shins, popliteal fossae, natal cleft, both axillae and anterior aspect of abdomen, suggestive of symmetrical progressive erythrokerato derma. Palms and soles were spared. Involvement of multiple flexural areas in addition to the classical sites was unusual.

A giant intradiploic epidermoid cyst was seen in a 13 year old male manifesting as a swelling in the right sub-temporal region along with proptosis of the right eye for the last 6 years. There was no intracranial extension of the cyst. Removal of the cyst was followed by complete recovery of the proptosis of the eye.

Multiple acne comedones and papules arranged in a linear pattern on the cutaneous margins of the vermilion surface of the upper lip developed in a 12 - year old girl. This is attributed to the topical application of butter to relieve the chapping of the lips.

A 21 year old male developed 4 recurrences of Well syndrome with highly characteristic recurrent indurated urticarial plaque, circulatory eosinophilia, arthralgia, episodic asthma and histopathological flame fgwes. Direct immunofluorescence revealed periovascular deposits of C3 and IgM. A good response to corticosteroid was noticed.

There cases had coexisting lichen scierosus et atrophicus and morphoea. In two cases, both the types -of lesions were simultaneously present from the very beginning. While in the third case, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus developed later in association with an already present and partly treated morphoea.

A case of impetigo Herpetiformis is reported for its rarity and high mortality.

Exacerbation of the skin lesions of occurred during ibuprofen therapy in a middle aged-female for psoriatic arthritis, in a middle aged female. The possible mechanisms of this exacerbation mechanisms are briefly discussed.