The relationship of systemic lupus erythematosus and discoid lupus erythematosus; a clinical and hematological study.

Introduction Although the first clinical description of discoid lupus erythematosus was recorded in 1827, by Rayer, the term itself, together with a complete picture of the eruption, was introduced in a textbook edited by Cazenave, in 1828. Almost 50 years later a second and fuller account of the skin disease was given by Kaposi and Hebra. In 1885, Osler in a series of articles drew attention to the significance of the eruption as an indication of a systemic disease, but a lapse of 30 years followed before the work of Libman and Sacks focused attention upon the disseminated form of lupus erythematosus which has occupied the interest of many clinicians and laboratory workers ever since. Today there are two main divisions of opinion with regard to the relation of the discoid lupus erythematosus, originally described in the 19th century as a purely cutaneous disorder, to the systemic illness,