On the therapeutic testing of dermatological remedies / by Howard Fox.

  • Fox, Howard, 1873-1947.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: On the therapeutic testing of dermatological remedies / by Howard Fox. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    analysis of the tar ordinarily used in medicine showed it to consist according to Vieth, of first, acid constituents, chiefly phenols; second, basic constituents chiefly pyridin; third, neuti-al dis- tillable constituents, chiefly the tar hydrocarbons; fourth, pitch. Therapeutic expenments showed that only the phenols and hydro- carbons were of dermatological interest. The antipruritic results were due to the phenols, while the characteristic effects of tar were due to the hydrocarbons. The pyridin and the pitch were the un- necessary and injurious elements. Anthrasol as put upon the market, is a pale yellow liquid of the consistency of olive oil, from which the coloring matter and inju- rious constituents have been removed. It has less of the odor that is cliaracteristic of other tar prepai'ations, being due in part to the addition of a little oil of peppermint. The fact that anthrasol is colorless must in all fairness be ad- mitted to be an advantage of importance. The writer is willing to say that if a clean, but only moderately efficient preparation of tar is desired, antlirasol will fill the requirements. With regard to the question of efficiency the case is, however, decidedly different. The coloring matter, impurities and injurious (?) constituents of the tar have been removed, but with them have apparently been removed much of the efficacy of the drug. The case is somewhat similar to the change that has been brought about by refining chrysarobin, a change that is better appreciated by the older dermatologists. The chrysarobin of to-day is frequently “ refined ” to such a degree that half its potency is gone. In regard to the claim that anthrasol has not the disagreeeble odor of other tar preparations it may be said that few patients even in private practice object to the odor of tar. In this connection it may be mentioned that the druggist who dispensed the anthrasol at the hospital frequently complained of the odor which it left upon the hands. She did not on the other hand consider tlie odor of oil of cade to be disagreeable. From the writings of some well known dermatologists who speak in praise of anthrasol, the impression is obtained that it is equal or superior to other preparations of tar. The claims of the circular sent to physicians that “ anthrasol possesses itch-allaying and kerato-plastlc action in a still higher degree than common tar are certainly not borne out by the experience of tlie writer. Tlie cases selected for treatment were subacute and chronic forms of eczema which were suitable for tar therapy in general. For