Materia medica, pharmacology and therapeutics : Inorganic substances / [Charles D.F. Phillips].

  • Phillips, Charles D. F. (Charles Douglas Fergusson), 1830-1904
Date:
1894
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Materia medica, pharmacology and therapeutics : Inorganic substances / [Charles D.F. Phillips]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    60/938 (page 40)
    and sulphur is allowed half-an-hour. This is-prepared by boiling 1 part of quicklime with 2 parts of sublimed sulphur in 20 parts of water, boil to 10 parts and filter, it is rubbed into the skin for half-an-hour, and one pint is sufficient for each time. M. Hardy’s method with soft soap frictions, warm bath, and anointing with 2 parts of sulphur to 8 of lard and 1 of potash carbonate, effects its purpose in four hours (Brit, and For. Rev., ii., 1852); but such results are liable to be ac- companied with unnecessary irritation and pain to the patient. Dr. Tilbury Fox, having seen eczematous eruptions and chronic irritation often induced by the excessive use of too strong an ointment, and founding his advice on observation of the parts usually affected, advocates the use of a mild ointment (1 part in 16, i.e., h dr. to the ounce of lard) to the wrists and between the fingers only, in acute cases accompanied with general irritation (Lancet, ii., 1871); but, as Hebra and Dr. R. Liveing observe, the restriction of the application to a few portions needs very exact diagnosis, and, as a rule, the ointment of the selected strength should be applied to every part. A prolonged warm bath, lasting half-an-hour, and thorough cleansing with soap and friction, should precede the inunction ; then, after drying, either the mild ointment of Fox, or the simple ointment of the Pharma- copoeia (1 part in 5), or one of intermediate strength (1 part in 8, with 4 part of potash carbonate) should be plentifully rubbed over the trunk and the limbs, especially the flexor side of the limbs and between the fingers and toes ; and then socks, gloves, drawers, and jersey should be used to keep the ointment in con- tact with the skin (Liveing). An ointment I commonly prescribe is made with sublimed sulphur, 2 dr. ; sulphide of calcium, | dr.; and simple ointment, 2 oz. After a night’s application, a warm bath in the morning may be used to remove the odour of sulphur, but then a second or third inunction may be required : if the first one can be left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, it will often suffice to cure. In some cases a lotion of sulphuret of calcium (liquor calcis c. sulphure) acts better, because it is more thoroughly applied than an ointment; its use should also be preceded by a warm bath, and it need only be gently applied with a sponge or brush; if used with friction it may cause very severe irritation. Dr. Dolan speaks highly of this application (B. M. J., i., 1884).