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The studies of Monash and Blank (1) demonstrated that, if the skin barrier is removed, water will evaporate from the skin surface at approximately the same rate as from a free water surface. Matoltsy et al. (2) confirmed the finding that water loss of the barrier becomes almost normal in only two or three days after the barrier is re-formed. Total regeneration however requires about two weeks. Matoltsy et al. (2) stated that soon after removal of the stratum corneum a “temporary barrier” with parakeratotic cells is formed, causing water loss to gradually decrease. The “temporary barrier” persists until the regenerating epidermis becomes capable of forming normally keratinized horn cells, the so-called “final barrier.

In 13 patients with contact allergy to sesame oil, studies were undertaken to elucidate the nature of the allergens. Sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin were identified in crude and purified (pharmaceutical) sesame oil. Patch tests showed 8 of the 13 patients to be positive to sesamol and 12 to sesamolin and sesamin. Patch tests with the pure substances on thin-layer sheets were inconclusive as to any difference between these substances. Group allergy to several substances related to sesamol could not be clearly demonstrated.

The quick passage of methyl methacrylate at 21 degrees C and 35 degrees C through seven surgeon's glove materials in a diffusion chamber was quantified by gas-chromatographic analysis. Polystyrene-butadiene dissolved in methyl methacrylate, latex and polychlorobutadiene showed reversible expansion, during which material from the samples dissolved. In order to prevent these phenomena from interfering with the analyses, experiments were performed with 4.7 M methyl methacrylate in ethanol. Even then, the time in which methyl methacrylate permeated the membrane was too short for sufficient protection. When using these gloves, the orthopaedic surgeon who is fixing endoprostheses is no doubt occlusively exposed to methyl and other methacrylates, benzoyl peroxide, rubber additives, etc. Of glove materials which are not surgically used, vinyl was inferior to latex, whereas a very thin polyethylene copolymer did not change in methyl methacrylate, showed better resistance to diffusion, but was insufficiently elastic and easily perforated. A better protective material is urgently needed.