Review of significant progress in clinical dermatology since 1977

The disease rules all; the patient, except for HLA typing, is in eclipse. Immunology holds the key to new knowledge. Management lingers at present behind scientific advance (systemic lupus erythematosus), or is fired by a new, and possibly overenthusiastic, aggressive spirit (mycosis fungoides). Classification of clinical disease is bound to change (dermatitis herpetiformis). Our concept of Staphylococcus aureus has been widened further (toxic shock syndrome). Psoriasis, a more unpleasant disease than we have cared to admit, may be connected with a generalized enzyme defect. Psoriasis, acne, and other disorders of keratinization respond to newer oral retinoids. Some vignettes of new therapy, new toxicity, new ideas, and old ideas seen anew have been presented.