Dermatological prescribing trends in outdoor patients attending Dermatology Clinic of Govt. Medical College Hospital, Nagpur were studied. In all 190 prescriptions were audited to find number of drugs per prescription, use of generic/brand names, dosage forms, frequency, duration of treatment, dose and categorywise drug consumption. The age and sex distributions of patients and disease distribution were also studied. Polypharmacy was found to be widely prevalent. More drugs were prescribed by brand names than generic. Dosage form, frequency and duration were mentioned in most of the prescriptions; however, doses of the drugs were not, in majority. The major drugs in the prescriptions were antihistaminics followed by antimicrobials , steroids and vitamins. Not much difference was found in sexes attending the Clinic. There were more female patients of acne vulgaris, disseminated lupus erythematosus and Hansen’s disease. More males suffered from scables and tinea infections. There were 4 patients who were prescribed drugs without diagnosis. Except in some cases, the prescribing was relational.

Clinical study and X-ray of the cervical spine from patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were compared with similar films from a control population. Evidences suggest that neck is involved in psoriasis similar to those described for spondylitis. Apophyseal narrowing is 60% compared to 20% in control, apophyseal sclerosis is 40% compared to 15% in control, and an apophyseal calcification of anterior ligaments is 25% compared to 10% in control.

This paper presents the Rockwell superficial hardness of human finger nails in vitro and its difference due to age, sex and pathological conditions. A highly significant (p<0.01) negative correlation (r = - 0.78) is found to exit between the thickness (X) and the superficial hardness (Y) of the upper surface of the finger nails, The regression equation of Y on X is Y= - 32.26X + 63.82.

Five hundred patients of the age group 0-12 years were studied for different types of dermatoses. Pyoderma (35.6%), scabies (22.4%) and eczema (17.6%) were the most common dermatological conditions, followed by molluscum contagiosum (4.6%), popular urticaria with insect bite (4%), vitiligo (3.4%), miliaria (2.8%), nevus (1.6%). Other dermatoses (8%) were pityriasis rosea, wart, chicken pox, herpes zoster, acne vulgaris, leprosy, angular stomatitis, pruritus vulvae, psoriasis, candidiasis, condylomatalata, fixed drug relation, tinea capitis and corporis, phrynoderma, alopecia areata, phimosis, geographic tongue, trichotillomania, canitis, pediculosis, hypertrophic scar and pityriasis versicolor.

The clinical entity PDA mainly affects lower socio- economic group in tropical countries. Its cure/control poses a challenge to dermatologists. To evaluate a low – cost drug therapy, dapsone was tried among patients of chronic folliculitis of legs along with tropical providone – iodine application. Forty- two patients who came for regular follow – up revealed satisfactory result with marked improvement in about 70% cases with minimal side- effects. The antibacterial and immunomodulatory action of dapsone may be beneficial in these cases. The possible role of androgen triggering effect remains an open question in its pathogenesis and chronicity.

Forty three patients of lepromatous leprosy were studied for the presence of Australia antigen. Only 4 showed positive result. This is more or less consistent with other Indian studies.

Bowen’s disease is desired as persistent, progressive, non- elevated, red scarry or crusted plaque, which is due to an intraepidermal carcinoma and is potentially malignant. Sunlight is considered as an important aetiological factor. In the past; arsenic exposure was also said to be important 1. The curaneous lesion of Bowen’s disease can sometimes be hyperkeratotic or fissured 2. Morphology can vary depending on site of involvement.

A young adult male patient of Xanthoma dissemintaum, presenting with typical papules. Nodules and coalescing plaques mainly over flexures with some atrophic subsiding lesions, mucosal lesions involving conjunctiva, oral mucosa, pharynx, and larynx, bony lesion in the form of three osteolytic lesions in skull bones and with history suggestive of mild, self- limiting diabetes insipidus, is reported for its rarity. There hair and moustache and appearance of gynaecomastia.

A neonate with deeply fissured skin, polydactily and deformed ears is described.

Matting of hair been reported from time to time due to treatment of hair with detergent, shampoos, waving lotions, setting lotions and bleaches. A case of matting of hairs in a young girl due to a change in the brand of shampoo is reported.

Midline granuloma is a term with several synonyms: Stewart’s granuloma, granuloma gangraenescens nasi, lethal granuloma, polymorphous reticulosis 2-4 The conditiin is characterized by localized inflammation, destruction and often mutilation of tissues of the upper respiratory tract and face and, unless treated, it ends fatally within 12 to 18 months of onset. The pathological changes are those of nonspecific chronic inflammation to necrotizing vasculitis and granulomatosis. A case of lethal midline granuloma is reported.

A 30 year old male having lesions of Porokeratosis of Mibelli is described. Histopathology is consistent with the diagnosis.