FROM a perusal of the literature, the management of circumscribed neurodermatitis (lichen chronicus simplex) would appear to be a fairly simple procedure. In our experience the accepted therapy, consisting of topical applications, roentgen irradiation, sedation and attention to the patient's general and mental status, produces satisfactory results in a certain number of cases, but there are frequent failures and recurrences. This report is concerned with the consideration of another therapeutic approach.
We have investigated the therapeutic injection of alcohol in the treatment of localized neurodermatitis and other related cutaneous diseases in which a dry lichenified plaque is the prominent feature. It is our impression that a plaque of neurodermatitis arises in tissue of poor resistance or of poor functional reaction. It usually occurs in areas subject to frequent trauma, the most classical example being the nape of the neck, especially in women. On careful inquiry, these areas are found