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The germicidal influence of various antiseptics on the bacterial and fungal flora of leg ulcers was studied in vitro. Best effects were achieved by the triphenylmethane dyes brilliant green and methylrosaniline chloride. Chloramine and povidone iodine yielded average results, whereas the germicidal effects of potassium permanganate and eosin were not satisfactory. On the other hand, treatment with ozone resulted in sufficient inactivation of germs--with the only exceptions of Serratia and Klebsiella species.

24 male and 24 female syrian hamsters were treated with antiestrogen Tamoxifen for 21 days (dosage 5, 50, 200 and 800 microgram/d, respectively). For control, 6 male and 6 female animals remained untreated. After having finished this treatment, we performed double-labelling autoradiography with 3H- and 14C-thymidine on all animals, under in vivo-conditions. The number of single labelled 3H-cells has been related to cell proliferation. The quotient " double labelled cells/single 3H-labelled cells " served as a measure for the duration of the S-phase. In addition, we measured the sebaceous gland volume. No essential influence on the parameters could be found. Therefore, we have to assume that the antiestrogen Tamoxifen does not have an essential effect on cell kinetics in the sebaceous gland.

It was shown by in vitro studies that 8-methoxypsoralen (= 8 MOP) alone and UVA irradiation alone produces relatively little inhibition of the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum, whereas a combination leads to an intense suppression of bacterial growth. It was further demonstrated by in vivo studies on 14 subjects that local treatment with 8 MOP and UVA significantly reduces the propionibacteria in the pilosebaceous duct. These results afford a possible explanation for the well known favorable effect of photochemotherapy on acne vulgaris. In addition, they contribute to explaining the drier appearance of the skin after photochemotherapy.

Fifteen male Syrian hamsters were treated for 10 days with 3 x 20 mg zinc sulfate (corresponding to 13,5 mg elementar Zn/d) by means of a stomach tube. Fifteen control animals remained untreated. After treatment the size of sebaceous glands was measured with th plate integration method and the mitotic rate was determined with the colchicine method in both treated and control animals. Zinc therapy significantly increases the size of the sebaceous glands, as well as the cell proliferation in the sebaceous glands.

Making up a prescription is only expedient, when a pharmacologically reasoned therapeutical concept cannot be carried out with ready-made specialties. The possibilities of scientifically oriented external treatment are exemplarily demonstrated by treatment with antiinflammatory externals. We recommend the so-called step therapy, i.e. starting with a powerful corticoid, changing to a moderately strong corticoid after a few days, and finally, as soon as possible, using hydrocortisone only. At least from time to time, this treatment should be replaced by the application of Bufexamac. The concept of stepwise therapy largely reduces the hazard of loss in efficacy due to the tachyphylaxia phenomenon, as well as the risk of side effects. Since frequently allergological risk patients are concerned, treatment with the active substances mentioned must be possible using the same base in variable concentrations. In addition, the base must meet the requirements for hypoallergenicity. We make suggestions for a therapeutical concept of this kind based on the frequency of sensitizations, which occurred in the cases reported at the Dermatological Clinic in Karlsruhe (FRG).

Investigation on 60 volunteers are reported in whom the influence of salicylic acid and finely divided sulfur on the blanching effect of ointments with and without steroid was analysed. The higher the concentration of salicylic acid the greater is the decrease in the blanching effect of the steroid free ointment. At low concentrations finely divided sulfur also reduces the blanching effect of the steroid is reduced by salicylic acid as well as by sulfur. This effect is at least partly produced by the decrease of the blanching effect due to the base. An increase in the bioavailability of corticosteroids in the skin after local application cannot be achieved by addition of salicylic acid or sulfur under the conditions chosen.

The right lower inner arms of 22 healthy test persons in total have been treated either with 6% salicylic acid solution in 70% isopropyl alcohol, or with 5% precipitated sulphur mixture in white petrolatum, or with a surfactant mixture. The basic preparations without active agents have been applied to the corresponding skin area on the left arms. The thickness of the corneal layer on both arms was measured by means of the cantharidin blister method. Salicylic acid, sulphur, as well as the surfactant mixture all led to a more significant reduction of the corneal layer than the basic preparations. Under the chosen test conditions, the keratolytic effect of all three substances has thus been proven.

The following study is based on the evaluation of 116 expert opinions obtained between 1984 and 1987 regarding patients working as hairdressers and suffering from eczemas. The most frequent allergen was nickel sulfate (57.7%). Exclusive nickel allergy without sensitization to substances professionally used, however, was only found in 6.9% of the female patients tested. Nickel allergy associated with sensitization to such substances was observed in 50.5% of the patients. 90 out of the 116 persons tested showed positive reactions to the indicator substance used in the hairdressers' trade and/or to the substances actually used during their work. Exclusive sensitization to one or more substances of the indicator group (occupationally used substances negative) was found in 13.3% of the patients; exclusive sensitization to substances actually used (indicator group negative) was seen in 16.7%.

A questionnaire was presented to 2009 18--19 year old recruitment candidates. The questionnaire enabled appraisal of antipathy towards patients with severe acne vulgaris and the occupational inpediment of severe acne. It was shown in comparison of patients with clinically relevant acne and healthy subjects or patients with a minor variant of acne that acne patients are more prepared to tolerate other acne patients than are healthy subjects. A questionnaire which enabled appraisal of attitudes to therapy was presented in addition to 351 patients with clinically relevant acne in this collective. The schools attended were also recorded in these patients. It was shown that the motivation to undergo treatment can be assumed in only half of the acne patients; this motivation is less the more radical the therapy. However, the motivation is greater the higher the educational level of the person questioned.

16 healthy persons were treated for 7 weeks with a 1% erythromycin containing ointment. Another 25 persons (among them 10 acne patients) were treated during the same period of time with a combination therapy consisting of erythromycin (1% in an unspecific ointment base) and benzoylperoxide (5% in a gel base). The combined therapy reduces the micrococcaceae in the pilosebaceous ducts significantly. On the other side the therapy consisting only of erythromycin causes only initially a decrease and then an increase in the number of micrococcaceae. Induction of resistance to erythromycin is in both cases considerable. In both cases a reduction of propionibacteria which are most important for the pathogenesis of acne must be assumed. Because of the probable pathogenetic role of staphylococci in acne vulgaris an additional improvement of the therapeutical results can be expected in the case of combination therapy. In vitro experiments demonstrate further that an erythromycin treatment leads to considerable resistance induction in S. aureus, regardless of whether it is applied alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide.

A questionnaire was presented to 2009 18--19 year old military recruitment candidates which enabled assessment of antipathy towards patients with severe acne vulgaris, the occupational handicap associated with severe acne and subjective inhibitions in acne patients. In addition, these persons were examined clinically with regard to presence of acne vulgaris. Finally, the level of education of the persons questioned was determined. The investigations show that severe acne has an appreciable disease rating. This results from antipathy of other people, the occupational inpediment and the psychological inhibitions of the acne patient. This disease rating appears to be objectively greater the lower the level of education of the acne patient. The disease rating does not appear to be entirely clear to the acne patient with a low level of education.

9 patients suffering from mycosis fungoides in various stages were topically treated with dichlorodiethyl sulfide solution associated with photochemotherapy. Topical application of dichlorodiethyl sulfide is indicated in the stages 1 to 3. In more advanced stages, the cutaneous lesions showed good response to therapy, but systemic lesions could not be influenced. Only one patient developed sensitization to topical dichlorodiethyl sulfide. The low incidence of allergic complications may be due to the combined therapy of dichlorodiethyl sulfide and photochemotherapy.

Ozone therapy using the Vapozone 9, an instrument in normal commercial usage, has been carried out on the forehead of 16 male test persons on 7 consecutive days. Before the treatment began and at the end of the treatment period the skin surface lipids on the unchanged skin (casual level) and two hours after defatting the skin (replacement sum) were taken by direct extraction and analysed by means of thin layer chromatography. The results of these investigations rule out a decrease in the free fatty acids by this therapy. As a result of this finding it may assumed that no desinfecting effect on the corynebacterium acnes and other lipasereleasing microorganisms can be attributed to ozone therapy.

In a double blind study on persons with healthy skin, we tested the efficacy of cardiospermum ointment against the ointment base only. There were no significant differences between placebo and active substance regarding clinical evaluation, light reflection photometry, and transepidermal water loss. By means of doppler laser flowmetry, we found a decrease in corial blood supply after 16 hours' application of cardiospermum, which suggests a possible antiphlogistic effect.