On Sept. 17, 1927, two patients presented themselves for examination, complaining of pus under the finger-nails. In one, the condition had obtained for two months; in the other, it had been present for twelve months. Both said that the symptoms had begun a few weeks after they had commenced their work, which consisted of squeezing oranges by hand in order to obtain commercial orange juice, and that several of the other youths similarly engaged were also infected.
The history was as interesting as it was significant. The subject was discussed shortly afterward with the manager of the concern, who admitted that many of the youths so employed were similarly infected, but in varying degree. Only the worst cases had come under observation; three other subjects presented themselves subsequently.
As the cases differed clinically only in degree of severity, I will submit a description of one as typical of several.
REPORT