A Contribution to the Study of the Etiology of Xanthoma Multiplex

Until recent times speculation as to the origin of xanthoma multiplex concerned itself chiefly with clinical observations of its association with jaundice, hepatic disease and diabetes. Little distinction was drawn between the several clinical types. LITERATURE ON THE SUBJECT Thus, Kaposi, in his treatise on skin diseases, stated "Nothing definite is known concerning the causation of this remarkable affection. It has been attributed to hepatic affections because jaundice has been observed in more than half the cases. But it seems probable that the same process of nodular development may attack the liver and thus give rise to jaundice." Hyde in his textbook on skin diseases, 1900, said: "There is a growing belief that xanthoma is due to embryonic and local causes." During the past twenty years much study of the histopathology of xanthoma lesions has been made, and at present there is a fair degree of unanimity concerning their histologic