Schonlein-Henoch syndrome.

Special annotations Schonlein-Henoch syndromeThis characteristic syndrome of skin, gastro- intestinal, and joint disorders has fascinated many distinguished physicians.Schbnlein' in Berlin described the association of arthritis and purpuric rash in 1832 and it was one of his former students, Eduard Henoch,2 who nearly 40 years later described theassociation ofgastrointestinal symptoms and a similar rash.Professor Henoch was one of the first German physicians to specialise in paediatrics.He maintained his interest in the syndrome through- out his life and, at age 90, shortly before his death he recorded the important association of serious kidney disease.3Although Schonlein and Henoch gave their names to its eponymous title it does seem that other distinguished physicians had noticed the condition earlier.There is an excellent description by Heberden in 1801, and another by Willan (1808) in his book on cutaneous diseases.