Weber-Christian disease occurring in a negro woman

The purpose of this paper is to report another case of Weber-Christian disease and to present what we believe to be the second case reported in a Negro.1In addition, the unusual feature previously reported2of progressive necrosis of the pannicula adiposa leading to spontaneous rupture and drainage of the subcutaneous nodules was also observed. Weber-Christian disease is of unknown origin, and it is not the purpose of this report to discuss the controversial theories as to its cause.3However, the sudden and often explosive character of the appearance of these nodules makes one postulate an allergic mechanism. Pfeiffer first described this condition in 1892, and Weber3elater reported a case in which he labeled the condition relapsing nonsuppurative nodular panniculitis. In 1928 Christian,4in his report of the third case, suggested adding "febrile" to Weber's definition. Since then it has been referred to as