Preliminary report of a dermatosis due possibly to mepacrine; a description of 26 cases seen in Italy.

IN North Africa during 1943 we saw 6 patients with a generahzed derniatosis which left us puzzled and dissatisfied, as the cases liad to be evacuated to the base before a diagnosis could be made. Each presented more or less the same syndrome : first the hands and then the soles of the feet became diy, thickened anrl cracked ; then came a generalized rash. In each case there was ulceration of the mouth, sometimes a folhcular hyperkeratosis of the skin, cheilitis, glossitis and angular stomatitis, tlie picture being not unlike a vitamin A and B dcficiencv. Many cases also reminded one of a seborrhoeic dermatitis, as there was crusting of the ears and alae nasi, "vsith excessive dandruff. All the North African cases were seen in the lato autumn of 1943, no cases appearing between December 1943 and April 1944. In Italy at tlie end of April 1944 one of our North African cases reported that his rash had completely disaj^peared during the winter without treatment,