2238 



DYSIDROSES AND DYSTROPHIES 



have made a very complete study of it in Burma, where it is 

 extremely common. 



Geographical. — The condition was at one time considered to be 

 limited to Mongolian races, but further investigations show that 

 it is found in other races, including Europeans. Martinotti, and 

 later Consiglio, have found it in Italy. The condition has recently 

 been observed also in North and South America. 



-Etiology. — The condition is of unknown origin; it is probably 

 congenital. 



Symptomatology. — MongoHan spots ' appear as blackish-bluish 

 or mulberry-coloured, smooth, non-elevated areas. The colour 

 does not disappear on pressure ; it is, as already stated, blackish-blue. 

 Some portions of the same spot may be darker than others The 

 texture of the skin is normal; there is no pain and no pruritus. 

 They are mostly roundish, but they may be oblong or almost square; 

 they may be single, but are often multiple, five or six or more, each 

 spot varying in size from J centimetre to 12 centimetres and 

 even more. The patch may be sharply limited or the colour may 

 fade gradually into that of the healthy skin. The commonest 

 situation is on the lower spine, sacral region, and buttocks, but 

 they may be found practically on any other part of the body. The 

 patches appear at birth, and, as a rule, disappear between the 

 third and fourth year. 



In Burmese, Castor has found that Mongolian ispots are extremely frequent, 

 and are situated in order of frequency on the sacral region and buttocks, 

 waist, arms, legs, shoulders, head, face, neck. Castor identifies with the 

 Mongolian spots also the pigmented patches so often found in natives on the 

 oral mucosa, tongue, and lips. 



Diagnosis. — The condition is easily recognized, the roundish or 

 variously shaped bluish patches, generally on the sacral region 

 and buttocks, being characteristic; its being present from birth 

 distinguishes it from patches of pigmentation of other origin. 

 The complete smoothness and normal texture of the skin differenti- 

 ates the condition easily from pigmented moles. In those rare 

 cases in which confusion with some mycotic condition might arise 

 the microscopical examination will clear the diagnosis, no fungi, 

 of course, being present in Mongolian spots. 



Course and Prognosis. — The patches generally fade or disappear 

 completely about the third or fourth year. 



Treatment. — The treatment is nil, nor is it generally asked for, 

 the patches most frequently being on covered parts of the body. 



Tattooing. 



Nomenclature. — The word 'tattoo' is derived from 'tattow,' 

 used by Cook and Banks in their journals in 1789. Tattow was 

 derived from ' tau ' or ' tatu,' a word which meant 'marking.' 

 The Maori word is 'amoca' or 'moko,' which, however, refers to 

 the furrowing of the skin — a more formidable operation than 

 tattooing. 



