Abstract
That exposure to direct sunlight produces or intensifies the erythematous eruptions on the exposed parts of the bodies of pellagrins is an opinion of many observers; the underlying cause of this apparent photo-sensitization is, however, entirely obscure. The auto-experiment of Meyer-Betz 1 with hematoporphyrin and the skin manifestations of hydroa-aestivalis, buckwheat disease, and other forms of apparent sensitization among the lower animals 2 at least justify the suspicion that some toxic substance is circulating in the blood stream.
With the object of determining whether or not the spectrum of pellagrous differed materially from that of non-pellagrous serum, a series of 13 sera was examined with a Hilger quartz spectrograph.
Each case had been admitted to the New Orleans Charity Hospital and all were in the acute stage with characteristic eruption, usually with marked oral and gastro-intestinal symptoms. The serum was obtained in the following manner: After a 12 hour fast blood was drawn from the median basilic vein, using a dry needle and glass syringe. Coagulation was allowed to take place in a paraffin coated tube. The serum was pipetted off and centrifuged at 3000 R.P.M. for 10 minutes and again pipetted off.
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