Vol. 60, 1909 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

ORIGINAI, COMMUNICATION. 155
diments like pepper and salts, sauces should which there is much tendency to moisture
be absolutely interdicted. This is especially as in the pustular, and vesicular eczemas
true in regard to alcoholic beverages. I Lassar's Paste is better than the zinc oxide
don't suppose there was ever a case of Ungt. Being a paste it allows the discharge
eczema cured where the patient indulged in to percleate through it. It is made as folalcohol.
I have seen cases of diffuse indu- lows:
rated aczema of tlie scrotum get entirely R
well, and one glass of beer cause it to return Zinc Oxide,
in one night, with increased severity. So Amyli a 2 drachms
alcohol is to be let entirely alone in treating Vaseliuil 2 oz.
this malady. Tea, coffee, and chocolate Ten or fifteen grains of salicylic acid added
are best let alone. Tobacco is harmful in to the above greatly increases its anti-prusome
cases. Constipation must be relieved, ritic quality. Ungts are generally objec-
If we have to give medicine for this, a com- tionable on account of their greasiness, and
bination of aloin, Xux vomica, and bella- oleaginous character, and where possible it
donna, the pills of iron and aloes, and ext. is much pleasanter to use lotions, especially
of Rhamnus Purshiona, are good. Arsenic in refined people and around the genitals.
is a time honored remedy whose curative The following is very good,
virtues are as old as the hills. It is good R
only in some chronic scaly cases. In acute Calami 1 drachm,
eczema it is very harmful. It is best not to Zinc Oxide /2 drachm,
prescribe it at all. Sometimes phosphorus Glycerine M XV,
one hundredth grain to one twenty-fifth Liq Amydlae 1 oz.
grain either in pill or oil, is useful in long Where pustulation is marked Peroxide of
standing eczema. There are no internal Hydrogen exercises a beneficial effect,
specifics for eczema. What will cure one When the acute symptoms subside Diachyol
case will actually aggravate another. in ungt is excellent. It is never advisable
Local Treatment.—There is one iron-clad to begin treatment loo boldly. If after
rule we can always follow with success in faithfully employing our protective, and
the local eczema. It is as follows: In astringent agents in the subacute variety
acute cases where we have heat, swelling, and yet no results are obtained, we should
redness, &c., employ soothing remedies: begin a stimulating treatment. The most
In subacute cases where the swelling has reliable one is tar, adding it at first in the
subsided, and where papulation, vesication, proportion of about fifteen drops of the oil
pustulation, or exudation is more or less of Cade, to the ounce of ointment-base, such
active, use astringent, and slightly stimula- as oxide Zinc Ungt. We alwa^'s need stimtiug
remedies: In chronic cases where we ulation in the chronic squamous eczema to
find thickening with scaling, stimulate in whip up flagging circulation, and to proall
cases, and protect the skin. This rule duce absorption of infiltration of the skin,
is infallible, and should always be kept in and to promote a return to health. Here
mind. Water must in all cases be kept tar is our sheet-anchor, and should be classaway
from eczema. W^here it is desirable ed as the Prince of skin-stimulauts. It can
to loosen the scales a little olive oil should be used in various strengths and ways. We
be employed. Very hot water may be used may use the oil of cade, oleum cadini, the
at times on chronic indurated types, then oil of birch, oleum rusci, or pixliquida.
very sparingly. It appears to be quite irri- The oil of cade is most used. I prefer the
fating. In acute eczema of course soothe, ungt:
Llq Calcis, Plumbi Subacetatis dil, solu- H
lions of borax and soda are good. Dust Ol Cadini Yi drachm,
with corn-starch bismuth, Lycopodium, or Zinci Oxide '2 drachm,
French chalk. Where there is severe itch- Ungt Aqua rosae q. s.,
ing carboiic acid may be used, incorporated or the cade may be added to the oxide of
in Ungt about Gtts X to the ounce.
Starten recommends the following:
Dr. zinc ungt in the proportion of a drachm to
the ounce, orpix liquida may be substituted
ft
Zinci Ozide >2 drachm.
Pulv Calamine prep 2 draciims.
in about the double strength. Sulphur in
my experience ranks next to tar as a stimulant
in squamous eczema. It is not as re-
Glycerine 1 oz.
Liq Calcis 7 drachms.
When the acute stage has about passed
and a sub-acute condition is present a proliable
as tar however. It is most useful in
circumscribed patches, and may be used in
vaseline or simplex ungt in the strength of
one to two drachms to the ounce. In some
tecting and soothing Ungt is to be used and very sensitive skins it produces a good deal
the best to be obtained is the benzoated of dermatitis. I have used green soap with
oxide of zinc ungt. If the case is oue in varying success, but do not attach much im-
—