Drug eruptions; a clinical study on the irritant effects of drugs upon the skin / [Prince A. Morrow].

  • Morrow, Prince A. (Prince Albert), 1846-1913
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Drug eruptions; a clinical study on the irritant effects of drugs upon the skin / [Prince A. Morrow]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In Other cases, there is no mutation of forms, the indefi- nitely prolonged use of the drug will be unattended with any essential change in the character of the eruptive ele- ment. If it commence as a papular or a pustular eruption, it will continue as such, independent of the dose or duration of the drug. It is to be noted, however, that when the lesions are in process of involution, if the drug be renewed, it will cause apoiissde subintrante, and we may have different forms side by side, some in active evolution,, others representing the acme or completion of the morbid process, while others are on the point of disappearance. We perceive, then, that in endeavoring to appreciate the mode of production of these eruptions, it is impossible to adhere closely to the distinction between specific and anomalous eruptions, since there is nothing absolutely constant or characteristic in their respective forms; they are as varied in their manifestations as are the physiologi- cal peculiarities of the individuals producing them. It is to be observed, however, that difference in effect does not necessarily imply difference of mode of impression. We think that most writers err in attempting to differentiate pathogenetic modes upon the basis of difference in anatom- ical form of the lesions. Anatomical form is as misleading in pathogeny as it has proven defective as a basis of classi- fication. Notwithstanding the diverse character of drug erup- tions as indicated above, we have seen that they all possess one distinctive generic feature, which stamps them with the seal of a common causality of origin—they always promptly disappear on the withdrawal of the exciting cause. The more or less rapid removal of the cause is of course subordinate to conditions of elimination ; the celerity of this process varying in the case of different drugs. The rapidity of the disappearance will also vary