A simple device for measuring skin friction in vivo is described. The frictional coefficient of normal Indian skin and the effect of hydration and application of talc and glycerol on the frictional coefficient and also the friction of ichthyotic skin have been determined with its help. The average value of friction of friction of normal India skin at forearm is found to be 0.41 +- 0.08, the hydration raises the value to 0.71 +- 0.11 and the effect of glycerol is also to school it up to 0.70+- 0.05, almost equal to that of water. The effect of talc however is opposite and its application lowers the friction to 0.21+-0.07. The mean coeff of friction for ichthyotic skin is found to be 0.21+- 0.0.5, which closely agrees with talc-treated normal skin. A good positive correlation (p<0.01) between friction and sebum level at skin site, with r = 0.64, has been observed.

A study was undertaken to determine the pattern of cutaneous reaction to drugs during June and July 1994 at the Skin OPD, N.R.S Medical College, Calcutta. Drug rash comprised of 43 patients (about 1%) of total 4,431 patients. There was no age or sex predilection. Exanthematous rash was the commonest type affecting 35% patients, followed by uritcaria including angioedema and FDR, each affecting 23.3% patients. An erosive buccal mucous membrane lesion without skin affection was found in 2 cases. Among the drugs co-trimoxazole was the main offender (37.3%), followed by analgesics (25.6%), ampicillin (9.3%) and A.T. drug (2.3%). Drugs responsible could be elicted in 2 patients and 1 patient gave history of taking medicine. Only one patient gave of Known allergy to some drug.

A young epileptic girl of 17 years who was being treated with carbamazepine suddenly developed exanthematous skin eruption all over the body resulting in exfoliative dermatitis within 2 days of onset. The drug was withdrawn and the patient responded well with symptomatic treatment.

A 27 year old male presented with erysipeloid lesion on the leg without any systemic involvement. The disease is very uncommon and area involved was unusually large. It is reported because of rarity.

Cases of two patients who developed psoriasiform lesions following carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy are reported here for its rarity.

Tinea amiantacea is a rare disease now-a-days. A case of this abnormality is reported.

Noonan’s syndrome is characterized by hypertelorism, webbed neck, curly or wooly hair, congenital heart defects, micrognathia and low set ears. A 15 year old male presented with features of Noonan’s syndrome with hypertelorism, cryptorchidism, low hairline, large and low set ears, curly hair, pulmonary stenosis and lentigenes. This case is presented to alert the physicians towards the occurrence of lentigenes, characteristic facies and pulmonary stenosis in the syndrome. A few hitherto unreported associations like macrothelia and high arched palate were also seen.

A case of esthiomene with chroni inguinal lymphadenopathy, groove sign and multiple atrophic inguinal scars in a 40 year old woman is reported for its rare incidence these days.

Mercury in its metallic from and its other salts may cause contact dermatitis and eczema; but contact allergy due to them is rather uncommon. A case of eczematous reaction due to topical application of mercurochrome developing within one day is being reported.