PUBLISHED. BY J. & A. CHURCHILL, 11, NEW BURLINGTON STREET; AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. MDCCCLXXIX. Medical Times and Gazette. ORIGINAL LECTURES. LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS. By JONATHAN HUTCHINSON, F.R.C.S., Senior Surgeon to the London Hospital and to the Hospital for Diseases of the Skin, and Surgeon to the Moorfields Ophthalmic Hospital. LECTURE I. Definition of the term Lupus-Nature of the Disease and its Alliances-Peculiar Features of the Erythematous FormIts Varieties-Less connected with Scrofula than the Common Form-Early Description by Hebra, Cazenave, etc.-Published Portraits-Cases of Extreme Capillary Dilatation resembling Nævus-These Cases most Common in Early Life-Mr. Macarthy's Two Cases-Case of LupusNavus in an Infant (Mr. Higgens' Case)-The New Sydenham Society Portrait-Details of the Case, with Important Facts as to Influence of Temperature and State of Circulation. GENTLEMEN,-The name Lupus is applied to a chronic form of inflammation of the skin which has certain peculiarities, and which occurs in persons of certain proclivities. It is allied, on the one hand to scrofula, on the other to psoriasis, and it partakes also, in some degree and especially in some cases, of the nature of the inflammation which produces chilblains. In different persons who are the subjects of lupus we recognise differing degrees of tendency to one or the other of these three types of morbid process, and hence it results Some forms are that lupus is not always exactly the same. so strongly strumous that it is difficult to separate them from scrofulous ulceration of the skin; others are very close to psoriasis; while a third group, in their local position, in their susceptibility to the influence of weather, and also in the nature of the local disease, show an essential resemblance to With such a wide range of what we know as chilblains. liability to difference it is essential to state clearly what the peculiar features are which we regard as essential to lupus. First, let me say on this point that some of the forms of serpiginous syphilis so closely resemble the Lupus process that, excepting in that they are produced by a different cause, and curable by a different treatment, it is quite impossible to separate them. Unless you allow me to introduce into my definition a reference to cause, I should be quite baffled in an attempt to define lupus in any way which should exclude them. It is difficult enough with the patient before us to say which is which, but quite impossible in a mere verbal description. Beginning, then, by excluding everything which is due to syphilis, I will say that the name lupus is applicable to a chronic inflammation of the skin, attended by a cell-growth in the deeper layers, which spreads slowly at its edge, and thus involves adjacent parts, which inevitably disorganises the parts attacked, and always, after cure, leaves a scar. It is by this tendency to leave a scar that we separate lupus from psoriasis, for after the cure of the latter the skin is left quite sound. Now, the lupus-process is in part one of new growth, and in part one of inflammation, and it varies, no doubt not alone in reference to the temperament of the patient, but also in respect to the precise tissue in which it originates. The alveoli of the corium are its usual site, but in different cases the sebaceous glands, the papillæ, and the vascular system may be disproportionately involved. There are forms of common inflammation in which paralytic dilatation of capillaries is the chief feature, and others in which cell-multiplication is greatly in excess of the increase in supply of blood, and we recognise precisely the same modifications of the lupus-process. (a) Now, I propose, in to-day's lecture, to ask your attention to a form of lupus in which the tendency to vascular dilatation is so conspicuously in excess of the other factors in the inflammatory process, that a special name has been given to it. Under the name Lupus erythematosus, observers have denoted a malady closely allied to lupus, indeed, in many (a) There is also a rare form of cancer of the skin, usually secondary to cancer of the breast, in which the capillary dilatation is a very conspicuous phenomenon. VOL L 1879. No. 1488. cases, absolutely identical with it, but of which the chief There are other minor features of peculiarity by which we Such, then, are the general features of erythematous lupus. It is a disease usually easy to diagnose if you know it. Those not familiar with its appearance would probably mistake it for chronic eczema, for a slight form of psoriasis, From eczema the history usually or for common lupus. distinguishes it at once, for your patient will probably tell you that he has had the patch exactly in its present position and state, getting little either better or worse, for years. Eczema, on the contrary, is either cured or spreads quickly. The peculiar positions affected, the forms produced, are facts also of great value in diagnosis. But above all you If you find that it is spreading at must look for the scars. the edge and healing with a thin but definite scar in the centre, your diagnosis is complete, for neither eczema nor psoriasis (b) ever do this. I am not much concerned to establish the diagnosis from common lupus. In most cases it is easy enough; and when it is not, then my assertion would be that (b) Perhaps an exception should be made for certain very rare forms of psoriasis. |