Electrodermal activity as an index of motion sickness.

Sweating in the absence of thermal stimulation is one of the cardinal symptoms of motion sickness. But since sweating is closely related to electrodermal activity this may be a potentially useful index of the intensity of motion sickness. In order to evaluate this possibility, the correlations between electrodermal activity and a range of signs and symptoms of motion sickness were examined in four experiments, in which a total of 170 subjects were exposed to a cross-coupled force environment. Although increases in skin conductance did not correlate with specific single indices of motion sickness, correlations with a questionnaire based on several signs and symptoms varied from 0.89 (p less than 0.001) to 0.11 (N.S.). It is concluded that skin conductance potentially offers a valid and very precise measure of motion sickness, but that it is sensitive to extraneous factors only some of which are currently understood.

Reticular erythematous mucinosis: light and electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and histochemical findings.

Five patients with reticular erythematous mucinosis were studied by skin biopsy and phototesting. Light microscopy showed a dermal mononuclear cell infiltrate (composed largely of lymphocytes), separation of collagen bundles and fragmentation of elastic fibres. Histochemical stains showed increased dermal mucin with a profile consistent with hyaluronic acid. In one case, the ultrastructural distribution of mucin was demonstrated using colloidal iron staining, electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. In two cases, virus-like tubular aggregates were identified in the cytoplasm of dermal endothelial cells and pericytes. Immunofluorescent staining for immunoglobulins, fibrin and complement was negative.

Scabies in Sheffield: a family infestation.

From June 1972 to May 1973 the medical officer of health and general practitioners in Sheffield referred all suspected cases of scabies to the Hallamshire Hospital skin department. Contact tracing, similar to that in VD departments, was carried out by a specially trained state registered nurse. In all, 1482 cases were found in 609 households. This was ten times the number referred to the skin department in 1971. Infestation was introduced to households mainly by schoolchildren and teenagers, especially by girls. The commonest sources were friends and relatives outside the home. Schools did not play an appreciable part in spread. The secondary attack rate in households was 38%. Notification of cases, adequate treatment within the home, and contact tracing are recommended to halt the present epidemic of scabies.