In the work-up of patients known to have a contact-type dermatitis, the physician or his personnel use considerable time in applying patch tests to the various suspect agents, until the principal offenders are determined. It is the purpose of this communication to describe a multiple patch method which greatly facilitates the performing of these tests and yet is uncomplicated.
In working out this patch, we ran into some difficulty. The first patch employed consisted of a 4-in.-wide, washable, elastic cotton bandage on which were placed white laminated soft corn pads. Each corn pad was approximately 5/8 in. by 7/8 in. and about 1/16 in. thick, with a center hole approximately 1/4 in. in diameter. Eleven pads were spaced in an area approximately 21/2 by 41/2 in., at one end of the cotton elastic bandage. The length of the cotton bandage varied from 18 to 20 in. The center hole