Part 39

#Name several external remedies and combinations useful in eczema of a subacute or mildly inflammatory type.#

The various remedies and combinations useful when the symptoms are acute or markedly inflammatory (mentioned above), and more especially the several following:--

Zinci oxidi, ......................... ij Liq. plumbi subacetat. dilut., ....... fvj Glycerinæ, ........................... fij Infus. picis liq., ................... fiij M.

A lotion containing resorcin, five to thirty grains to the ounce.

Solution of zinc sulphate, one-half to three grains to the ounce.

An ointment containing calomel or ammoniated mercury, as in the annexed formula:--

Hydrargyri ammoniat. seu Hydrargyri chloridi mit., ................... gr. x-xxx Ac. carbolici, ..................... gr. v-x Ungt. zinci oxidi, ................. j M.

Another formula, more especially useful in eczema of the hands and legs, is the following:--

Ac. salicylici, ...................... gr. xxx Emp. plumbi, Emp. saponis, Petrolati, ...... [=a][=a] ........... j. M.

(This is to be applied as a plaster, spread on strips of lint, and changed every twelve or twenty-four hours.)

The paste-like ointment, referred to as useful in acute eczema, may also be used with a larger proportion (20 to 60 grains to the ounce) of salicylic acid.

The following, containing tar, may often be employed with advantage:--

Ungt. picis liq., .................... j Ungt. zinci oxidi, ................... vij. M.

#What is to be said in regard to the use of tarry applications?#

Ointments or lotions containing tar should always be tried at first upon a limited surface, as occasionally skins are met with upon which this remedy acts as a more or less violent irritant. The coal tar lotion (liquor carbonis detergens) is the least likely to disagree and may be used as a mild ointment, one or two drachms to the ounce, or it may be diluted and used as a weak lotion as already referred to.

#What external remedies are to be employed in eczema of a sluggish type?#

The various remedies and combinations (mentioned above) useful in acute and subacute eczema may often be employed with benefit, but, as a rule, stronger applications are necessary, especially in the thick and leathery patches. The following are the most valuable:--

An ointment of calomel or ammoniated mercury; forty to sixty grains to the ounce.

Strong salicylic-acid ointment; a half to one drachm of salicylic acid to the ounce of lard.

Tar ointment, official strength; or the various tar oils, alone or with alcohol, as a lotion, or in ointment form.

Liquor picis alkalinus is a valuable remedy in chronic thickened, hard and verrucous patches, but is a strong preparation and must be used with caution. It is applied diluted, one part with from eight to thirty-two parts of water; or in ointment, one or two drachms to the ounce. In such cases, also, the following is useful:--

Saponis viridis, Picis liq., Alcoholis, .......... [=a][=a] ....... iij. M.

SIG. To be well rubbed in.

Dissolve the potash in the water, and gradually add to the tar in a mortar, with thorough stirring.]

In similar cases, also, the parts may be thoroughly washed or scrubbed with sapo viridis and hot water until somewhat tender, rinsed off, dried, and a mild ointment applied as a plaster.

Lactic acid, applied with one to ten or more parts of water is also of value in the sclerous and verrucous types. Caustic potash solutions, used cautiously, may also be occasionally employed to advantage in these cases.

Another remedy of value in these cases, as well as in others of more or less limited nature, is the x-ray. Exposures every few days, of short duration and 4 to 10 inches distance, with medium vacuum tube. This method has served me well in occasional cases; caution is necessary, and it should not be pushed further than the production of the mildest reaction. The repeated application of a high-frequency current, by means of the vacuum electrodes, is a safer and sometimes an equally beneficial method.

#Is there any method of treating eczema with fixed dressings?#