With I table BEH(~ET (1937) was the first to describe a morbid entity presenting three symptoms, namely, iridocyclitis with hypopyon, aphthous lesions in the mouth and ulceration on the genitalia. However, since 1898, other investigators had observed the same manifestations, but it was BEH~ET 0937) who first reported that these symptoms are the basic manifestations of an independent disease and, therefore, this new syndrome was referred to as BEI-I~ET'S disease both in Europe and America. However, there are a few investigators who, although not openly, object to the use of this name. According to CAVARA (1954) of Rome, BEH~ET (1937) in describing the symptoms of the disease did not mention iridocyclitis, whereas it can easily be noted that the most important manifestation of the cases presented by BEH(~ET was recurrent iridocyclitis. ADAMANTIADES (1930) of Athens insists on calling the disease a "symptom complex" reporting that he had observed these symptoms prior to BEH~ET. However, ADAMAN-TIADES (1930) failed to point out, as the investigators before him, that these manifestations are the cardinal symptoms of an independent disease. BEI-I~ET (1937) was the first definitely to demonstrate that these three symptoms occur in a distinct syndrome and even attempted to report the cause to be viral.
Clinical Picture
In describing his first cases, BEH~ET (1937) reported the three symptoms already mentioned, however, as the number of the cases increased, it was observed that there are certain other manifestations as well, primarily erythema nodosum. In addition, furunculosis, pyoderma, abscesses, signs of papulopustular dermatitis, swelling of the joints, rheumatic pains, orchitis, hydroceles, and phlebitis may also accompany the disease. These manifestations usually appear in association with a high fever. It is also not too rare to observe signs of meningoencephalitis.