Miliaria Rubra: A Manifestation of Staphylococcal Disease

Miliaria rubra affects large numbers of young adult males soon after they arrive in Texas, where the temperature and humidity are high during the summer. During 1959 a study was conducted for the purpose of: (1) measuring the incidence of miliaria in a controlled population, (2) studying the role of the staphylococcus in the production of the disease, and (3) accumulating further information on antibiotic therapy. Methods and Materials Population.— The clinical material consisted of airmen from various regions of the United States who came to Lackland Air Force Base to obtain their basic training. They lived, worked, and played under standard conditions. Their average age was 18 years. The majority had arrived in Texas recently; they had been at the base no less than 9 nor more than 30 days, the average stay having been 15 days. During the months of June, July, and August, 1959, a flight of