[Reflections on dermatophytes]

In light of his experiences especially in tropical regions, the author makes some remarks about dermatophytes and dermatophytia, which they cause. The following main items are: 1. The dermatophytes lead a saprophytic life. 2. Exceptionally, they can invade nonkeratinized tissue and cause "dermatophytic disease", perhaps mycetomas. 3. 45 percent of the ringworm of the scalp heal before puberty. 4. In the tropical regions, trichophytosis caused by endothrix-species are often of inflammatory nature, the favus appears often without scutula formation (afavic). 5. One can heal a substantial percentage of the ringworm of the scalp with a single dosis of 12 tablets (125 mg each) of fine particle griseofulvin. 6. Athlete's foot has also other causes than only dermatophytes.