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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated February 5, 1997, in the Registration Statement
(Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the
registration of 2,587,500 shares of its common Stock.
 
                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Jose, California
October 17, 1997