Effect of crude coal tar in the mouse-tail model of psoriasis.

A histological comparison was made between normal mouse tails and those treated with crude coal tar, and the effect of crude coal tar on the keratin profile of the living cells of treated animals was examined. The prophylactic effect of crude coal tar on the neonatal mouse tail is described. The variation in the anatomical site of prekeratin of the dorsal and tail epidermis of the mouse is reported. These results are discussed with reference to the use of the mouse tail as a model for screening drugs for the treatment of psoriasis.