AT ONE time epidermolysis bullosa was considered a comparatively rare disease. During World War II, however, appreciable numbers of persons with this dermatosis were found among those inducted. Many of these patients reported that other members of their families were similarly affected, and thereby some interest was aroused regarding the manner of inheritance. A number of reports on the subject, from both the clinical and the genetic point of view, have been published since 1940. Only the report by Johnson and Test1 in 1946 represents an extensive genetic study. The progenitor of the larger of the two families reported by them came from Ireland about 1770. Since certain members of the family herein reported descended from Irish immigrants about the same time, it seemed pertinent to investigate this Alabama family for a possible familial connection with those of Johnson and Test.
From previous reports it is readily