Harvey Blank

Lipoid dermato-arthritis. Reticulohistiocytoma of the skin and joints.

Abstract 1.1. Lipoid dermato-arthritis is a recently recognized disease of lipid metabolism characterized by a destructive polyarthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis and by cutaneous papules and nodules. 2.2. Characteristic multinucleated giant cells are found in both the affected skin and synovial tissues. 3.3. The giant cells contain a lipid substance which is probably a glycolipid. 4.4. Early lesions may contain no giant cells but a polymorphous dermal infiltrate of histiocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes and extravasated red blood cells. 5.5. The blood lipids may be normal or slightly elevated. 6.6. An abnormal electrophoretic lipoprotein pattern is demonstrated. 7.7. Treatment is unsatisfactory. Administration of corticosteroid hormones may cause temporary regression of the skin nodules but have little effect on the arthritis.

A Non-Vacuum Freezing-Dehydrating Technic for Histology, Autoradiography and Microbial Cytology

A method for the freezing-dehydration of tissue and microbial cells is described which circumvents the need for high vacuum for the purpose of removing water from the cells by direct vaporization of ice. The present method utilizes the dissolution of ice from frozen tissue and cells by immersion in chemical dehydrating agents which remain liquid at low temperatures. Choice of the particular agent depends upon the desired result. Glycols are recommended if fixation is to be avoided, or water-soluble isotopes retained in the cells; alcohols or acetone are used if fixation is not undesirable. Specific applications of the method are given for use with tissues and with microbial cells. It has been demonstrated that radioactive phosphorus (P32) is not leached out of the tissues during the procedure.

Introduction of Dr. René J. Dubos as the First Herman Beerman Lecturer

We are here to honor Dr. Herman Beerman, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology in its Graduate School, a man who taught me dermatopathology and who taught me what is more important, that a productive life in dermatology is characterized by infinite scholarship, by great industry and byfunshakable loyalty and friendship to ones colleagues and associates. All in this room are familiar with his many outstanding contributions and publications in dermatology. Only those with sufficient gray hairs, however, can attest to his unfailing devotion to the high ideals and tiring responsibilities of The Society for Investigative Dermatology. It is in a large measure through his efforts that we are able to mark the present high status of this Society and of investigative dermatology by having as our invited speaker a scientist of great reknown. Dr. Dubos is justly famous not only for his skill as a pioneer in the laboratory but also for his philosophy which vividly illuminates science and points the way in which it can provide leadership and wisdom in our civilization.

Number 4: Which of These Butterfly Eruptions is Often Fatal and Which is Never Fatal?

This patient has had edematous, red, symmetrical areas of the cheeks and chin for several weeks. She feels tired and feverish and has vague aches and pains. Pyrexia, plus a positive L.E. test, elevated sedimentation rate, albuminuria, and white blood cell count of 4,100, confirm the presence of acute, life-threatening, systemic lupus erythematosus. Slowly spreading lesions have been present for several years. There is scaling, redness, telangectasia, and atrophic scarring. With a magnifying glass, dilated follicles containing a horny plug are seen. The patient feels well. After finding that the blood count, urinalysis, serum proteins, L.E. test preparation, and serologic test for syphilis were normal, and having confirmatory histopathologic findings, a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus was made. These pink papules, becoming confluent, caused only mild itching. A few scattered early vesicles could be seen with a magnifier. The process appeared in the spring of the year and the mother

Number 1: For Which Patient are Corticosteroids Useful and for Which Sometimes Fatal?

For the past several years small blisters which were slow to heal appeared at the sites of trauma on the dorsum of his hands. The skin unprotected by clothing is getting darker. The patient has been a heavy drinker of whiskey. Examination of his urine in a Woods light shows a pink rather than normal yellow fluorescence. As in some patients with porphyria cutanea tarda, his porphobilinogen is elevated. Avoidance of alcohol and barbiturates is the only important therapeutic advice known. These superficial vesicles which appeared suddenly are typical of chickenpox. The early crust in the center of the large vesicle is noteworthy. A simple method of confirming the diagnosis in the laboratory is the demonstration of multinucleate giant epithelial cells in Wright-stained smears of the cellular material from the base of the vesicle. Systemic steroids have caused fatal dissemination of the virus and are contraindicated. Marked