284 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS The addition of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate to the solutions containing the ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl alcohols displayed the same type of additive effect as found with the polyols. Tables 7 and 8 duplicate the above tests except that 10 per cent alcoho was used throughout. The results clearly indicate that the alcohols possess better preservative activity in nonionic solution than do the polyols. Most of the polyols tested effectively inhibited microbial growth at a 10 per cent concentration in combination with 0.2 per cent methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, while the alcohols were effective at the 5 per cent level. Both polyols and alcohols, however, displayed an additive effect or synergism with methyl p-hydroxybenzoate in a nonionic surfactant solution made up in the ap- propriate medium. REFEKENCE (1) Poprzan, J., and deNavarre, M. G., J. Soc. COSMETro CHEMTs'rs, 10, 81 (19597. THE SYSTEMIC EFFECT OF TOPICALLY APPLIED COSMETICS* By FREDERICK REISS, M.D.• Presented November 29, 1960, New York City Tins p•tESE•,^T•O• will concern mainly the systemic effect of topically applied cold wave lotion and black hair dye (1). Our investiga- tion was stimulated by a survey which was conducted in 1958 on the inci- dence of cosmetic dermatitis (2). It was revealed from over 1000 replies that sensitization was produced in the following order: Nail lacquer .................. 36% Hair dyes ..... 23.8% Permanent wave lotion ...... 25.2% Lipsticks ...... 14.4% A few physicians assumed that there might be a relationship between the application of cosmetics and blood dyscrasias. None, however, of- fered an acceptable clinical or experimental proof on animals. Because experimental proof in humans is practically impossible, guinea pigs were chosen as the most appropriate experimental animals, since it is well known that these animals are highly susceptible to cutaneous and systemic sensitization. - ½ P-art of this investigation was carried out with a grant from the Lawrence Richard Bruce !ncorporated Foundation. • Associate Clin. Professor of Dermatology, New York University, Postgraduate Medical School, New York, N.Y.

284 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS The addition of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate to the solutions containing the ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl alcohols displayed the same type of additive effect as found with the polyols. Tables 7 and 8 duplicate the above tests except that 10 per cent alcoho was used throughout. The results clearly indicate that the alcohols possess better preservative activity in nonionic solution than do the polyols. Most of the polyols tested effectively inhibited microbial growth at a 10 per cent concentration in combination with 0.2 per cent methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, while the alcohols were effective at the 5 per cent level. Both polyols and alcohols, however, displayed an additive effect or synergism with methyl p-hydroxybenzoate in a nonionic surfactant solution made up in the ap- propriate medium. REFEKENCE (1) Poprzan, J., and deNavarre, M. G., J. Soc. COSMETro CHEMTs'rs, 10, 81 (19597. THE SYSTEMIC EFFECT OF TOPICALLY APPLIED COSMETICS* By FREDERICK REISS, M.D.• Presented November 29, 1960, New York City Tins p•tESE•,^T•O• will concern mainly the systemic effect of topically applied cold wave lotion and black hair dye (1). Our investiga- tion was stimulated by a survey which was conducted in 1958 on the inci- dence of cosmetic dermatitis (2). It was revealed from over 1000 replies that sensitization was produced in the following order: Nail lacquer .................. 36% Hair dyes ..... 23.8% Permanent wave lotion ...... 25.2% Lipsticks ...... 14.4% A few physicians assumed that there might be a relationship between the application of cosmetics and blood dyscrasias. None, however, of- fered an acceptable clinical or experimental proof on animals. Because experimental proof in humans is practically impossible, guinea pigs were chosen as the most appropriate experimental animals, since it is well known that these animals are highly susceptible to cutaneous and systemic sensitization. - ½ P-art of this investigation was carried out with a grant from the Lawrence Richard Bruce !ncorporated Foundation. • Associate Clin. Professor of Dermatology, New York University, Postgraduate Medical School, New York, N.Y.