Infantile eczema occupies an important place in the clinic of children's diseases, and frequently presents great difficulties in its management. The etiology and pathology of this affection are as yet but little understood, and knowledge concerning them is needed. Even the most distinguished pathologists are not agreed as to the entire clinical history of this morbid process, whether by infantile eczema we mean a definite disease or merely a symptom of some unknown process. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss briefly some of the more recent views expressed on this matter, and to present the clinical history of the affection.
ETIOLOGY
At the outset attention must be directed to the confusion which might arise through considering this form of eczema with other skin eruptions produced by irritation, such as that caused by dirt, perspiration, etc. The most rational view, based on clinical observation, would be