Title: War Surgery and Medicine

Author: Stout, T. Duncan M.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1954, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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In Italy

In Italy the skin diseases proved to be similar in kind and incidence to those encountered in the Middle East. They were largely related to field conditions. Chronic ulcers were common, and in the summer there were lesions which closely resembled desert sores. Furunculosis was one of the most common infections.

Late in 1944 a new development was the local use of penicillin for infective conditions. It was specific against staphylococcal and streptococcal conditions such as impetigo and boils, but did not affect the many varieties of seborrhoeic dermatitis. In this respect it was similar in effect to the sulphonamides.