THE TREATMENT OF LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS BY REPEATED REFRIGERATION WITH ETHYL CHLORID.

A distinguished teacher of dermatology was in the habit of saying to his class, when presenting a case of erythematous lupus: "Gentlemen, I show you an example of a disease which, although not incapable of recovery, is the most refractory to treatment of all cutaneous affections." And I am sure that all who have had any experience, even a limited one, in the treatment of this obstinate malady will agree with that teacher. The long list of remedies to be found in every text-book of diseases of the skin said to be more or less useful (usually less than more) in this disease is additional evidence, if any were needed, of its refractoriness to treatment, for the curability of any disease is usually in inverse proportion to the number of remedies proposed for its cure. So many forms of treatment, both internal and external, have had their praises loudly