Symptoms

These blebs appear about the third or fourth day and may be found upon any part of the body, but usually upon the exposed parts. They remain for a time and then rupture or dry up. There is no suppuration. As the blebs enlarge they sometimes coalesce, covering quite a large area. The epidermis is loosened by a serous exudate which occurs directly beneath it and separates it from the true skin. The case produces a very striking picture having the appearance of being extensively burned. After the blebs have ruptured the epidermis hangs in shreds, leaving a very bright red surface beneath. In this way there may be large areas of the body almost completely denuded of the epidermis. There may be a very slight temperature and slight restlessness. There is great depression and marked weakness. The symptoms at first appear rather slowly, later the dis-ease progresses very rapidly, death often occurring in from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Pemphigus neonatorum should be distinguished from congenital syphilis. The liver and spleen are usually very greatly enlarged in syphilitic cases and there are usually other characteristic symptoms present, such as changes in the nails, mucous membrane and other parts.

Equation and Family

The general equation is excretion minus (E-). The condition is in the poison and fever families.

Major Adjustment

The major adjustment is C.P. and K.P.

INDEX

Transcriber’s Notes