As the epidermis is the chief obstacle to cutaneous absorption, it is sometimes removed by blistering, so that the medicament may come into immediate contact with the derma. The mode of proceeding by the endermatic method is as follows: a piece of flannel, patent lint, or cotton cloth, is moistened with aqua ammoniae, and when placed on the skin is covered with oiled silk to prevent evaporation. When the blister is raised, the epidermis is removed with scissors. A less painful, but slower method, is the application of a cantharides-plaster, followed by a poultice to raise the blister. The medicinal agent, in a finely-powdered state, is sprinkled over the raw surface, and is rapidly absorbed. Morphine, atropine, strychnine, and quinine, are the most important agents used in this way.

The endermatic method is a useful resource to the therapeutist, but the opinion of Brown-Sequard is hardly admissible, that the extensive use of the hypodermatic method has caused the endermatic to be unwisely neglected. There are decided objections to the endermatic method: it is painful; absorption is somewhat uncertain; ulceration of an intractable character may occur. It has these advantages in its favor: it may be used in cases of irritable stomach; it may be conjoined with counter-irritation; it is sometimes quite effective.