The original reports of impetigo herpetiformis (Hebra)1 in 1872, acrodermatitis continua (Hallopeau)2 in 1890, and psoriasis pustulosa (Zumbusch)5 in 1910 were followed by a number of articles and case reports, the main purpose of which was either to regard them as distinct entities or to group them on the basis of certain common clinical findings. This has led to considerable confusion and misunderstanding.
In Table 1 we have presented schematically these attempts as based upon a review of the literature.
We wish to report in detail a case, recently observed on the Dermatology Service of the Massachusetts General Hospital, which during its course manifested characteristics found in or ascribed to these three conditions.
Report of a Case
A 29-year-old white married woman was admitted to the Dermatology Service because of dermatitis present since 1953.The onset of her dermatitis was in February, 1953, while on her honeymoon,