ペラグラの1例

PELLAGRA

はじめに

　ペラグラPellagraはイタリヤ語のpelle agra　（荒れた肌）からきた語でpellagra-preventive　factor　（p-p factor）といわれるニコチン酸の欠乏を原因とするビタミン欠乏症である。

　ペラグラの典型例は3Dすなわち，Dermati-tis, Diarrhoe, Demenzに代表される皮膚症状，消化器症状，神経精神症状を伴うのを常とする。

A 43-year-old day laborer working at harbors and living in the slum of Yokohama city, who had diarrhea, general malaise, loss of appetite, disturbances of taste and sleep, and the dark red to brown eruptions on the back of the hands and feet was reported. He was habitual alcohol drinker, paid no attention to hygiene and diet, and had pulmonary tuberculosis and moderate disturbance of the liver functions.

He was admitted to the hospital taking hospital diet, vitamin B complex and abstinence, and consequently above-mentioned findings and symptoms were improved.