PARTIAL ALBINISM AND NYSTAGMUS IN NEGROES

The term "partial albinism" is properly used only of persons in whose skin the pigment content is universally reduced though not completely absent; "albinoidism" is the correct designation for patchy congenital leukoderma (piebald Negro). In the literature one finds references to "yellow" and "red" (xanthic) Negroes, and the connection of their abnormality with albinism is inferred from their family histories. In the 2 cases herein reported there is presented further evidence of the relationship between albinism and xanthism by the fact that both men had congenital nystagmus not referable to an absence of pigment from the eye. Such nystagmus is, of course, an integral part of the picture of albinism. XANTHISM Xanthism was originally described by Turner, 1 and it has been discussed by Pearson, Nettleship and Usher 2 and Stannus. 3 Strictly, the term is used of Negroes whose skin and hair have a reddish color, but