- Email: [email protected]
Prognosis in bronchial asthma
ABSTRACTS
533
the same dose of potassiuiii I'liroiuate hud a similar effect. There were im positive skin reactions to the usual allergens. Upon returning to work the symptoms re appeared. Since she has obtained other employment, there have lieen no further attacks. Prognosis in Bronchial Asthma.
Witts, L. .].:
I>ancet 1; 273, lO.'iti.
The author considers tlfe danger of death in the acute attack of asthma or following a paroxysm less rare t h a n is usually described. With respect to therapeutic results he says t h a t 20 per cent are completely relieved, about 60 per cent are more or less improved, and about 15 or 20 per cent are resistant to treatment. I'avorable features in prognosis are: the ability of the patient to cooperate completely with the physician; infrequency of attacks; early age of th<; p a t i e n t ; brief duration of the disease; and a seasonal incidence and sensitization to a single allergen. Unfavorable factors are the presence of complications, such as bronchitis, sinus disease, or ernphysema, and long duration of the disease. In patients under forty years with mild or occasional asthma the mortality is probably not more than 2.) per cent above the standard figures. I n patients over fort\' years with frequent and severe paroxysms the mortality is two or three times the standard value.
Dermatology I'NDKR TIIK DllihX'I'lUN- Of J l A l t l O X B . SllLZBKKGKK, M . I ) . , N E W Y O K K
Dermatitis From Dyed Hair, Furs and Fabrics. 230, 1935.
Ingram, John T.:
CrtV
Lancet 2;
The author reports t h a t the localization of dermatitides due to dyes sometimes leads to identification of the causative agent. ,Skin tests always should be employed: hair and fur dyes principally para- or metaphenylendiamiu and their products. Experiments convinced the author t h a t eczemas duo to these chemicals are caused by idiosyncrasies, not sensitizations. (This is ([uestioned by the reviewer.) Material dyes most exceptionally cause dermatitides. Symptoms are edema, particularly about the eyes, and discoloration of the skin; the former usually [)oiiits to hair and fur dyes, the l a t t e r to material dyes dissolved in sweat. Psychic and general disturbances may also be (encountered. Five case lystories serve as examples. In conclusion, the author remarks that most dyes ordinarily employed are quite harmless; t h a t there are no more skin diseases in dyeing establishments than in other industrial p l a n t s ; and that the usual .skin di.seases encountered in the dyeing industry are due to personal predisposition of the individual [predisposition to sensitization—M. B. R.]. The law should take cognizance of these facts. Anti-allergic Therapy. 1: 440, 470, 1935.
(Antiallergische Therapie.)
Trbach, Krich:
^led. Klin.
There are live possiljle methods of combating allergies—prophylaxis b_\' elimination of the allergic factor or l)\' keeping it a t a distance, deallergizatioii, specific, metaspecific desensitization, and aiitipathergic therapy, which means a nonspecific lowering of allergic reactivity. The author discusses in detail the procedures belonging to each group. It is also important for the physician to treat the allergic patient psychotherapeutically. The importance of this factor must not be underestimateil.
533
the same dose of potassiuiii I'liroiuate hud a similar effect. There were im positive skin reactions to the usual allergens. Upon returning to work the symptoms re appeared. Since she has obtained other employment, there have lieen no further attacks. Prognosis in Bronchial Asthma.
Witts, L. .].:
I>ancet 1; 273, lO.'iti.
The author considers tlfe danger of death in the acute attack of asthma or following a paroxysm less rare t h a n is usually described. With respect to therapeutic results he says t h a t 20 per cent are completely relieved, about 60 per cent are more or less improved, and about 15 or 20 per cent are resistant to treatment. I'avorable features in prognosis are: the ability of the patient to cooperate completely with the physician; infrequency of attacks; early age of th<; p a t i e n t ; brief duration of the disease; and a seasonal incidence and sensitization to a single allergen. Unfavorable factors are the presence of complications, such as bronchitis, sinus disease, or ernphysema, and long duration of the disease. In patients under forty years with mild or occasional asthma the mortality is probably not more than 2.) per cent above the standard figures. I n patients over fort\' years with frequent and severe paroxysms the mortality is two or three times the standard value.
Dermatology I'NDKR TIIK DllihX'I'lUN- Of J l A l t l O X B . SllLZBKKGKK, M . I ) . , N E W Y O K K
Dermatitis From Dyed Hair, Furs and Fabrics. 230, 1935.
Ingram, John T.:
CrtV
Lancet 2;
The author reports t h a t the localization of dermatitides due to dyes sometimes leads to identification of the causative agent. ,Skin tests always should be employed: hair and fur dyes principally para- or metaphenylendiamiu and their products. Experiments convinced the author t h a t eczemas duo to these chemicals are caused by idiosyncrasies, not sensitizations. (This is ([uestioned by the reviewer.) Material dyes most exceptionally cause dermatitides. Symptoms are edema, particularly about the eyes, and discoloration of the skin; the former usually [)oiiits to hair and fur dyes, the l a t t e r to material dyes dissolved in sweat. Psychic and general disturbances may also be (encountered. Five case lystories serve as examples. In conclusion, the author remarks that most dyes ordinarily employed are quite harmless; t h a t there are no more skin diseases in dyeing establishments than in other industrial p l a n t s ; and that the usual .skin di.seases encountered in the dyeing industry are due to personal predisposition of the individual [predisposition to sensitization—M. B. R.]. The law should take cognizance of these facts. Anti-allergic Therapy. 1: 440, 470, 1935.
(Antiallergische Therapie.)
Trbach, Krich:
^led. Klin.
There are live possiljle methods of combating allergies—prophylaxis b_\' elimination of the allergic factor or l)\' keeping it a t a distance, deallergizatioii, specific, metaspecific desensitization, and aiitipathergic therapy, which means a nonspecific lowering of allergic reactivity. The author discusses in detail the procedures belonging to each group. It is also important for the physician to treat the allergic patient psychotherapeutically. The importance of this factor must not be underestimateil.