Nutrition and art: 19th century images of scurvy, chlorosis, and pellagra.

Epidemics of nutritional deficiency disorders, caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals, were once very common and claimed many victims. Fortunately, advances in medicine have led to improved diets and a decline in the incidence of these disorders so that they are now seen clinically less often. Reminders of diseases such as scurvy, chlorosis, and pellagra can be found in artwork from the 19th century. The striking clinical presentation of these diseases caught the attention of artists who used them as themes in their work. We discuss the following three works of art: Gustave Doré's engraving for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (plate 10), which features scurvy; Sebastian Junyent's painting Chlorosis; and Giuseppe Mentessi's painting Our Daily Bread, which portrays pellagra.

The first dermatologist to own a bungalow: Sir Erasmus Wilson.

Sir Erasmus Wilson (1809-1884) was a towering figure who pioneered dermatology in England. He was also a great advocate of regular bathing and the setting up of public baths. His emphasis on proper hygiene even extended to one's living quarters. In 1869, he became a driving force behind the construction of new bungalows at Westgate-on-Sea, a seaside resort located in Kent, England. Wilson believed that a bungalow was the best sanitary home for a family, and he purchased the first bungalow at Westgate-on-Sea. This contribution tells the story of Wilson's bungalow and how his emphasis on hygiene and a sanitary environment was a reflection of his broad vision of the role of the dermatologist in promoting patients' skin health and overall well-being.