Generalized telangiectasia is one of the rarer dermatoses, and little is known concerning its etiology and treatment. Becker1 reviewed the literature thoroughly, and to the fifty-four cases already recorded added four cases of generalized telangiectasia without involvement of the mucous membranes which were seen at the Mayo Clinic.
For purposes of classification this entity is to be distinguished from livedo racemosa, cutis marmorata and purpura annularis telangiectoides (Majocchi), although all four conditions may be closely related etiologically.
The appearance in generalized telangiectasia consists of a more or less diffuse redness covering all or large portions of the cutaneous surface, with a vague capillary network from which the color can be pressed. At times the redness appears to be accentuated in a punctiform manner ; at other times the reticulated capillaries seem to form indistinct rings of from 1 to 2 cm. in diameter. Becker noticed petechiae in one of