ERYTHEMA EXUDATIVUM MULTIFORME

Abstract

<b>E</b>RYTHEMA exudativum multiforme is an acute infection which manifests itself by a systemic reaction and an eruption which is polymorphous in character. The lesions are often symmetrically distributed over the upper and lower extremities, as well as on the chest and face and may be accompanied by involvement of the mucous membranes. The disease is often recurrent. Hebra¹(1866) first described this disease, which consequently sometimes bears his name. He considered it a systemic and not a local disturbance, recognizing no causation. Fuchs²(1876) first described the ocular complications of this disease. Gerke and Kain³(1892), de Molènes-Mahon⁴(1884) and von Düring⁵(1896) also recorded adequate descriptions. Kaposi⁶(1893) noted the variegated form of the lesions, which ranged from vesicular to iris in type. Further contributions to the literature were made by Hanke,⁷Crocker⁸and Mracek.⁹ In 1913