Blood Vitamin a and Cutaneous Diseases

The skin contains no appreciable vitamin A,¹in spite of the fact that the latter has an important influence on cutaneous structure and growth. Indeed, all epidermal parts are affected by indirect means through the metabolism of vitamin A. Just how this action is accomplished is not known, but some evidence points to active participation of the liver in the process. The procedure is probably a complex one with at least several repercussions. This surmise is strengthened by the various resulting forms that a single organ such as the skin may show from vitamin A deficiency and dysmetabolism. Thus it has been fairly satisfactorily demonstrated that vitamin A metabolism in some way or another is associated with such diverse morphologic forms as Darier's²and Devergie's³diseases as well as xeroderma and certain forms of lichen spinulosus. Balbi⁴found that generalized cutaneous eruptions