Gold Earrings Research Articles

Lymphadenoid Structure Induced by Gold Hypersensitivity

An allergic sensitivity to gold earrings produced a lymphadenoid reaction with germinal centers in the dermis of the pierced earlobes of a 21-year-old woman, However, a patch test for 1% gold sodium thiomalate gave a long-lasting, clinically and histologically eczematous response. Electron microscopic and cytochemical observations showed that non-T lymphocytes and plasma cells were dominant in the dermal infiltrate of the lesions, whereas lymphocytes with convoluted nuclei (which were probably T cells) and monocytes invaded the epidermis in the patch test site. These findings suggest that continuous exposure of the dermis to gold in a sensitized person may induce a lymphadenoid cellular reaction different from the histologic findings seen after contact with the epidermis.

Allergic contact sensitivity to gold with unusual features.

SUMMARY A case of allergic contact sensitivity to gold is reported. In addition to the usual eczematous manifestations of allergic contact dermatitis, the patient developed a striking bilateral papular (dermal) reaction to gold ear-rings. We suggest that both types of lesion are manifestations of allergic contact sensitivity to gold.

Arkæologiske undersøgelser på Oman halvøen

Arkæologiske undersøgelser på Oman halvøen

Hospital Jargon: Embarrassing Ambiguities

To the Editor:— Dr. Juanita, a charming, intelligent, young Latin lady who wore big gold earrings, was the first foreign resident in a large American hospital in 1950. Her knowledge of English became adequate, but abbreviations such as p.i.d., s.o.b., p.t.a., hx, bx, dx, etc continued to baffle her. Particularly difficult were abbreviations with two meanings. CVA might mean costovertebral angle or cerebrovascular accident, but the one that really floored her was HVD. With some difficulty we explained to her that when HVD appeared in a medical record, it meant hypertensive vascular disease, but when it occurred in a gynecologic record, it meant hot vinegar douche.

Gold Ear-rings of the Bronze Age, East and West

Gold Ear-rings of the Bronze Age, East and West

Technic of ear piercing.

Persons in present-day dermatologic practice rarely encounter the request by patients to have their ears pierced for the wearing of earrings. Inquiries failed to reveal any documented procedure, and it would appear that by and large this operation has been relegated to persons other than those in the medical profession. The apparent increasing popularity of this ancient custom has prompted the following description of this minor operation. 1 The patient procured two small gold earrings, sleepers, the separated ends of which were found to fit snugly into the beveled end of a 17 gage needle. The earrings, along with a no. 3 cork, were sterilized in alcohol; the needle was sterilized by boiling. After the routine preparation of the ear lobule with tincture of iodine, alcohol and local anesthetic and with support of the posterior surface of the ear lobule with the cork, the needle was caused to

Funerary Offerings from Ancient Mexico

A TOMB deposit described as second only in intrinsic value to the recently discovered treasure of Monte Alban, we learn from a recent Science Service bulletin, has been discovered at Texmelincan, in the State of Guerrero, one hundred and twenty miles south of Mexico City. The tomb is situated in an area covered with mounds concealing buildings and other remains. The objects in the tomb have now been deposited in the Department of Archæology, Mexico City. Among them the most notable is a disc of gold, eight inches in diameter, with a hole in the centre. On it are engraved two of the characteristic feathered serpents, intertwined, and with the head of an armed warrior protruding from the jaws of each. Two belts, two feet long and three inches wide, are covered with a thin sheeting of beaten gold. There were also found large gold ear-rings, a necklace of thirty-two hollow gold beads and one of seventy-one unusually fine carved jade beads, three necklaces of shell and stone beads, copper bells, and obsidian ear-rings painted red. Some finely polished pottery vessels suggest a Toltec origin. The nearest important city site, it is pointed out, is Xochicalco, which is noted for its ‘Toltec Maya’ style.