The oleates in cutaneous diseases / by Henry W. Stelwagon.

  • Stelwagon, Henry W. (Henry Weightman), 1853-1919.
Date:
[1884]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The oleates in cutaneous diseases / by Henry W. Stelwagon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/10 (page 10)
    IO however, prove them worthy of a permanent place in dermic thera¬ peutics. . In ordering the oleates, several points are to be kept in mind. If the action of the proposed ointment is to be mainly protective, then the oleate is best made up with one of the paraffinates; if there is to be a certain amount of penetrating power along with a protective influence, then a mixture of lard or oleic acid with a paraffinate is to be prescribed as the base of the oleate ointment; again, if penetration is the main point aimed at, then the oleate compound should be made up of lard, oleic acid, or a combination of the two. In some cases (and they are by no means few) the oleates are found to disagree ; instead of an improvement, a slight or marked aggrava¬ tion occurs. In not a few instances this may be due to the bad quality of the oleate used; but that it may occur with oleates which are of the best manufacture, is beyond question. In conclusion, it may be said, that the oleates are to be considered merely as additional means of treating cutaneous diseases, and are in no sense to be looked upon as panaceas, for often enough they must be discarded to give place to the older and more tried methods of dermic therapeutics. [Since the above paper was published, the doubt in regard to the systemic effects following the use of inunctions of the oleates, implied in the remarks on the iron oleate, has been justified by subsequent observation,—with the exception, however, of the oleate of mercury. Even this oleate is not so freely or rapidly absorbed as heretofore sup¬ posed. In regard to the oleate of quinia, claimed by Squibb and others as capable of producing marked systemic effects when applied in quantity to the skin, my experience with it has been confined to its application to small surfaces in certain skin diseases, and, therefore, not of a character to warrant a positive opinion. The im¬ pression is, that like the other oleates, it is not appreciably taken up by the skin. It has been determined also (Dr. Wolff,) that the so- called oleates of the alkaloids are not true chemical combinations and may be for convenience, designated so much “ per cent, oleates or solutions.]