For the period of 13 years from 1979, a total of 1, 711 patients (1, 027 males and 684 females) with Hymenoptera stings underwent treatment in our hospital's departments of dermatology and emergency care. It follows that nearly 132 patients with Hymenoptera stings received treatment at our hospital each year. The number of such patients was great particularly during the period from July to October, when the wasps buzz around in the most brisk manner. Many of the victims were among nine-year-olds and younger boys, and among males in their thirties, forties and fifties. Paper wasps and hornets were responsible for about 70% of the stings. The parts which the stingers attack are mostly exposed parts-hand, face, arm and head in that order. A serious loss of consciousness was observed among 3.3% of the patients. The number of those with systemic reactions was significantly greater in males than in females. The incidence of systemic reactions was higher for those patients with head stings than for those with hand-arm stings.
In 1991 alone, there were eight cases in which anaphylactic shock occurred. The ratio of males to females stood at 7: 1, all in the middle and older age brackets. The incidence was high in the summer months of August and September, mostly on the head and neck. Symptoms appeared in a very short time, several to 15 minutes after the sting. There were seven cases positive in hymenoptera venom specific IgE antibody (RAST). Presumably, the allergic mechanism that the patients had is responsible for the severe response.

As part of our investigation into the allergic conditions that frequently plague farmers, we have conducted surveys on the prevalence of the skin disease which erupts probably as a result of allergic reaction. The findings are as follows:
1. Of the outpatients, 7.29% were suffering from contact dermatitis. Among the causarive agents closely related with agriculture were pesticides, chrysanthemums, lettuces, Primula obconica, melberries, rice plants, fertilizers, quicklime, celery, parsley etc. These were responsible for 17.2% of the cases of contact dermatitis.
2 Pesticide-induced dermatitis was found in 0.41% of the outpatients and 5.64% of the cntact dermatitis cases. Among the major offending pesticides were Des (DDVP), Difar (Zineb), Lannate (Mesomil), Maneb Dithane (Maneb) and Salithion.
3. The skin disease that seems to have occurred due to the exposure to sunlight accounted for 1.41% of the outpatients. Five of the dermatitis patients were victims of both sunlight and pesticides.
4. A patch test showed that Daconil, Difolatan and Altanon cause a strong, primary irritation, but their sensitizing effect is moderate when compared with Triazine and DDVP. The test also indicated that Topsin-M (Thiophanate), Salithion, Diazinon, Maneb Dithane and Dithane Stenless (Amobam) more or less render individuals sensitive.
5. A physical examination of farmers engaged in pesticide spraying revealed that 27.9% of the examinees have early signs of dermatitis on the back of their hands.
6. A follow-up survey of the patch test participants showed that most of them do not take proper measures against dermatitis caused by pesticides.

In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have warned that depltion of the Earth's ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons allows extra ultraviolet radiation from space to strike our planet, causing a rise in the incidence of skin cancers and precancerous dermatoses worldwide. This motivated us to perform a series of screening for skin cancers on the inhabitants at age 40 and above of the Saku District, Nagano Prefecture, where the intensity of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation is thought to be relatively high.
The first screening was carried out from 1993 through 1995. The number of subjects totaled 7, 528-2, 658 men and 4, 870 women-which represents 7.4% of the populace. Of the total, 67 people had a histopathological examination. The result revealed that there were four cases of malignancy and 45 cases of precancerous dermatosis. The malignant cases were made up of one case of malignant melanoma and three cases of basal-cell carcinoma, while the precancerous cases were one case of Bowen's disease and 44 cases of solar keratosis.
The follow-up examination was conducted in 1996 on 93 subjects (40.6%) of the 229 examiness who had been found to need to be watched in the first screening. Biopsy was indicated in five subjects. Treatment was suggested to 11 subjects. A visit to the department of dermatology at Sake Central Hospital was recommended to 10 people. Further observation was needed in 24 cases.
The screening project for skin cancers under a long-range plan would raise awareness of the diseases among the people and contribute to the early detection, treatment and prevention of various forms of skin cancer. It could also serve the purpose of protecting the environment from deterioration on n global srnle.