Testing of Skin Disinfectants

Abstract

CORTISONE AND SKIN SENSITIVITY TO TUBERCULIN Im uRNL of cortisone daily by intramuscular injection.In eight of these skin sensitivity to tuberculin was detected at intervals ranging from 6 to 17 days after the first injec- tion of cortisone; in six the reaction produced by tuber- culin during the period of sensitivity persisted, with induration, up to 48 hours, and in two it consisted of erythema, evident at 24 hours but fading at 48 hours.In those patients tested repeatedly this sensitivity was transient, even though the cortisone was continued.In -nine patients normally not reacting to at least 100 T.U., intradermal injection of 1.25 mg.cortisone with a dose of tuberculin equal to the greatest to which the patient had previously failed to respond produced a reaction with induration and erythema persisting at least 48 hours in seven, and no response in two.In three patients normally sensitive to 100 T.U. or less, similar local administration of cortisone with tuber- culin inhibited the reaction produced by tuberculin alone.We are grateful to the house-physicians at Brompton Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital for their co-operation in these obser- vations.Part of the cortisone used was supplied by the Medical Research Council.