Pemphigus

(pem’-fig-tts) [Trefupt!;, a blister]. An acute or chronic disease of the skin characterized by the appearance of bullae or blebs. Two principal varieties are described. P. vulgar is, and P. foliaceus. P. vulgar is is usually chronic, the blebs appearing in succe ive crops; on healing they leave a pigmented spot. Itching and pain may be present. P. foliaceus, is a rare form characterized by crops of flaccid blebs containing a turbid fluid. The disease is usually of long duration but eventually ends fatally. The cause of P. is not definitely known. Other forms of P. are: P. neon a to rum, an acute form of P. occurring in infants and supposed to be due to a microorganism. P. syphilitic us, a bullous eruption due to syphilis. P. vegetans, Neumann’s disease, an affection characterized by sore mouth, followed by some form of dermatitis attended by vesication and followed by papillary growths, gradual emaciation, and death. Pendjeh Sore. See Furuncuhis oriental is. 485