On the nomenclature and classification of disease of the skin / by L. Duncan Bulkley.

  • Bulkley, Lucius Duncan, 1845-1928.
Date:
[1881]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the nomenclature and classification of disease of the skin / by L. Duncan Bulkley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/18 (page 16)
    The next group, that of neoplasmata, is seen to embrace the two groups in Hebra’s classification, of neoplasmata, and pseudoplasmata; these are here represented in the two designations, benign new formations and malignant new formations. The diseases, and their arrangement in this group, are very much those recognized by Hebraand others, with the exception of the exclusion of syphilis from its position here, which, as we have seen, should be placed among contagious diseases, in the fourth class. It will be noticed that the name lepra is given here as the proper designation for true leprosy, or the elephantiasis Graecorum of older writers, and that it is consequently en¬ tirely separated from any connection with psoriasis, with which it has occasionally been associated as a synonym; this is in accordance with the views and writings of very many recent authors, and it is hoped that unanimity of opinion will soon prevail on this as on certain other unde¬ cided points. It will be also noticed that lepra has but two varieties here recognized, namely, lepra tuberosa and macu¬ losa, the designation lepra anaesthetica not appearing. The reason of this latter is, that it is questionable whether any such affection as neurotic leprosy exists, as distinct and separate from lepra tuberosa or maculosa; these latter cer¬ tainly exhibit the anaesthesia, but it is doubtful if this latter symptom is ever manifested without the other phenomena belonging to the tuberose and macular forms. One single further thought may be added in regard to an error in nomenclature which is very common, and yet pro¬ ductive of much harm and confusion, and which should by all means be avoided by those aiming at clearness and sim¬ plicity in nomenclature and classification. This refers to using the name of one disease adjectively with another. Thus, it is very common to have such terms as these used : syphilitic lichen, and syphilitic acne, lupus, and psoriasis. This has even gone so far as to result in compound words, as, lupus-psoriasis, varicella-prurigo, and the like. All such combinations are confusing to those learning the branch, and not wholly intelligible to those well versed in it. It is manifestly improper to modify the name of one disease ad-