HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BEHCETS-DISEASE

I have tried to outline the history and development of Behcet's diseas e, which was first described in 1937 by Hulusi Behcet, a Turkish Profe ssor of Dermatology. The clinical picture is a triple symptom complex consisting of relapsing aphthous ulcers in the mouth and over the geni talia, and hypopion iritis. I have divided the developmental history o f Behcet's disease into three periods: pre-Behcet, Behcet, and post-Be hcet. Although similar clinical manifestations were mentioned in Hippo cratic writings, clear examples of the symptomatic triad were not repo rted until the first quarter of this century. Since 1937, Behcet's dis ease has been a focus of active research. Exciting results concerning the genetics, immunology, molecular biology, diagnosis, and treatment of Behcet's disease have been obtained. It is hoped that the near futu re will bring additional discoveries to help solving difficulties in B ehcet's disease.