Observations on the various forms of superficial dermatitis : particularly erythema, eczema, psoriasis, lichen, and pityriasis rubra with cases / by P.H. Pye-Smith.

  • Pye-Smith, Philip Henry, 1840-1914.
Date:
[1881?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the various forms of superficial dermatitis : particularly erythema, eczema, psoriasis, lichen, and pityriasis rubra with cases / by P.H. Pye-Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In the following pages I propose to record cases and offer observations on Erythema and its allies, on Eczema and trau- matic dermatitis, on Psoriasis and the interesting disease known as Lichen planus, and, lastly, on the Pityriasis rubra of Hebra and exfoliative dermatitis of Wilson. I. Erythema. If we define erythema anatomically as a superficial dermatitis which does not go beyond the stage of papules, it is impossible to recognise it as a disease. For the term will then include scarlatina and measles, syphilis and enterica, many cases of scabies, and most of prurigo. If, however, we fix our attention on clinical and not only on anatomical features, we shall, I think, admit a natural family of affections of the skin—for the most part obscure in origin, and chiefly important for their resemblance to more serious maladies—which may be fairly called the erythematous group. We must, however, separate off such slight local dermatitis, set up by external irritants, as intertrigo and the so-called Erythema leve of anasarca. These bear the same relation to idiopathic eruptions of the same kind, as Eczema solare to true idiopathic Eczema, as pustular inflammation from pediculi capitis to ordinary impetigo of the scalp, or as wheals caused by a stick or a nettle or a caterpillar, to idiopathic urticaria. Next must be separated cases of abortive or papular eczema, which may be identified by their recurrence, their localisa- tion, and by their being preceded or followed by ordinary “ moist tetter.” Thirdly, we exclude erythema where it is merely a con- comitant of another primary external lesion, as in prurigo, where the erythema or urticaria so often seen is the result oi the patient’s scratching. Fourthly, we put in a separate group erythema which is merely a symptom of an internal primary disease, as in measles. Is the remaining group of idiopathic non-contagious Erythe- mata natural and homogeneous P not mentioned in tlie above list, I hope to offer some observations in a future volume of these Reports.