Sporotrichosis infection on mines of the Witwatersrand.
BACKGROUND
Our knowledge of skin disease is often based on fortuitous situations that have provided opportunities for observation and study of the disease. One of these diseases is sporotrichosis.


OBJECTIVE
This article examines a symposium published in 1947 by the Transvaal Chamber of Mines in South Africa. It reviews the approach taken in the investigation of a large outbreak of sporotrichosis in the mine workers.


CONCLUSIONS
The investigation of this outbreak has contributed significantly to our present day knowledge of sporotrichosis, the causative organism, its mode of spread, and its clinical features. It is also a striking example of meticulous scientific research and observation.
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Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa School of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history*; D006046:Gold; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history*
D006046:Gold