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It has been my experience and that of many of my colleagues that temporarily successful results may be obtained from the oral administration of one of several sulfonamide compounds in the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis. Sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole and sulfadiazine have all proved efficacious in bringing about an amelioration of the severe pruritus associated with the disease. There is usually a prompt relapse unless the dose of the drug is maintained. Sulfathiazole (2-[paraaminobenzenesulfonamido]-thiazole), which is in favor because of its low toxicity, is usually continuously effective in a maintenance dose of from 1 to 2 Gm. daily. If administration of the drug is entirely withdrawn or the dose materially reduced, the symptoms of the disease are likely to recur. Prolonged administration of any of these compounds is considered hazardous, and patients so treated must have periodic examination of the blood and urine.
Herpes gestationis is considered by most writers to