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To the Editor.—
The article by Dr. Neldner that appeared in the November issue of the Archives (106:722, 1972) about contact dermatitis in two individuals who handled medicated animal feed brought to mind my report of similar instances (J Iowa Med Soc 59:295-299, 1969). Physicians should realize that such drug additives can also provoke urticarial reactions and diffuse dermatitis, via the airborne route in farmers and feedmill workers. Furthermore, farmers often engage in do-it-yourself veterinary care for their animals and, thus, have contact exposures to solutions of penicillin and other drugs. Probably the most frequent hazard for this agricultural group is the primary irritant hand dermatitis due to handling herbicides and pesticides (J Iowa Med Soc 62:295-299, 1969; 419, 1972). Modern agriculture is chemically complex, and we must appreciate the implications of such chemicals on human health and disease.