EXFOLIATIVE DERMATITIS

Abstract
Although death from exfoliative dermatitis is not uncommon, there are comparatively few reports of cases in which autopsy has been performed. In 1933 Poole and Wehger1found seventeen reports of cases in the literature and contributed four more. To these may be added the case reported by Allison2and that by Nelson,3making a total of twenty-three cases recorded in which autopsy was performed. The pathologic changes described in the reports of cases have varied greatly. No particular organ or combination of organs has been uniformly involved. The lungs have been the most frequent site of involvement, presenting the following conditions, named in the order of frequency: bronchopneumonia, desquamation of the bronchial mucosa, edema, hemorrhagic infarcts and multiple abscesses. Fatty degeneration and cloudy swelling have been the most frequent changes noted in the liver. The kidneys have been described as being large and pale,