At the last meeting of the American Dermatological Association, Guy and Helmbold1 reported on a rather unique condition termed "nocardiosis cutis gangraenosa." The authors expressed the opinion that nocardial infections of the skin are more frequent than the scant reports indicate. As the literature on this subject was most capably reviewed at that time, I wish to go in medias res and report on another type of infection caused by a closely related organism, but for reasons set forth here, I prefer the term "actinomycosis without granules." REPORT OF CASE History.— An 15 year old American boy was admitted to Lakeside Hospital on Feb. 3, 1931. His history was irrelevant except for the fact that he suffered from acne of the face and back. Three months prior to admission he noticed a small red papule on his back. It was not painful although slightly tender. He squeezed it frequently