Two cases of hypertrichosis due to diazoxide are described. The mechanism is unknown bu may be due either to increased cutaneous perfusion or to increased levels of cyclic AMP.

SUMMARY. —Beclomethasone dipropionate is a new topical steroid with marked vasoconstrictor and anti‐inflammatory activity. At a concentration of 0·025% in a simple, oil‐in‐water emulsion “cream” base beclomethasone dipropionate is significantly more effective clinically than is fluocinolone acetonide 0·025%) in an apparently similar base. The effectiveness of beclomethasone dipropionate 0·025% in an ointment base is significantly increased by dissolving the steroid in propylene glycol before incorporating it into the ointment. Beclomethasone dipropionate 0·025% in a propylene glycol/ointment base is clinically indistinguishable from fluocinolone acetonide 0·025% ointment. Further investigation of the influence of cream and ointment bases on the clinical effectiveness of topical steroids might prove interesting.

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