ABSTRACT
In continuation of earlier publications on vitiligo and pigment formation, and more particularly on the connection between pigment formation and diamine metabolism, the authors have investigated the diamine-oxydase content of the fluids of blisters in bullous dermatoses and of artificially produced blisters especially in cases of pigment anomalies (vitiligo). The experiments showed the following results: 1. Stimulants causing inflamation (cantharide-plaster, carbon dioxide snow) and inflamatory skin diseases as burns or dermatitis cause an increased diamine-oxydase content of the blister fluid. 2. On the other hand no diamine-oxydase was found in the fluid of blisters of pemphigus and dermatitis herpetiformis, nor of a trophic blister in progressive paralysis nor in blisters produced by yperite. 3. The cantharide blister fluid in the region of vitiliginous patches contains less diamine-oxydase than the normal nonvitiliginous skin of the same patient. 4. The cantharide blister fluid in regions of normal-pigmentes skin contains more diamine-oxydase than the normal pale skin of the same subject. The signifiance of these new facts for the theory of pigment formation is discussed in detail, with emphasis on the close connection between the diamine metabolism and pigment formation.