RT Journal
A1 FOERSTER OH
T1 PEmphigus neonatorum, or bullous impetigo contagiosa of the new-born
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1909
FD July 31
VO LIII
IS 5
SP 358
OP 362
DO 10.1001/jama.1909.92550050007002e
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1909.92550050007002e
AB Pemphigus neonatorum was first described as an independent disease by Oehme in 1773. Previous to that time it had been confounded with syphilis, and until almost the middle of the last century there were many who still considered it as syphilitic in origin. Writers on the subject gave prominence to the bullous character of the affection, to its frequent occurrence in epidemics—especially in obstetric wards, foundling asylums, and in the practice of midwives—and to its variable course, benign in some instances, and in others presenting an alarming mortality. The latter observation early led to its division into a benign and malignant form. The possibility of a transference of the disease from infants to other children or to adults was also noted, and many writers observed that transmission to older children or adults resulted in a decided change in the clinical character of the