ACTH AND CORTISONE IN DIFFUSE COLLAGEN DISEASE AND CHRONIC DERMATOSES

Abstract
This is a report of our experience with 16 patients under therapy with pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone for a number of the diffuse "collagen diseases" associated with severe, chronic dermatoses. A considerable body of information has appeared in recent months dealing with the general aspects of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone therapy and with commonly encountered complications. Striking alterations in disease processes through the use of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone have been amply demonstrated by investigators working with Hench,1 Thorn,2 Baehr3 and others.4 The diseases affected include rheumatoid arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, disseminated lupus erythematosus and a number of the chronic dermatoses. The range indicates that cortisone and allied corticosteroids are not specific antirheumatics, but have a specificity for some factor common to all these diseases. The alteration in disease processes toward remission has, in general, been temporary or incomplete. However, in those instances