Recent experimental investigations on the action and comparative germicide properties of the various antiseptics have shown the superiority of corrosive sublimate over all others; hence it has come to be largely used in the dressing of wounds, and as a local application to specific ulcerations, etc. The acid nitrate of mercury is one of the best caustics for the destruction of chancroid. It should be applied with a glass rod after the surface of the sore has been well cleansed. It is now conceded that destruction of an infecting chancre does not prevent systemic infection. Syphilitic warts and vegetations on the genitals are amenable to the same treatment. Erosions and ulcerated indurations are best treated by "black-wash" (calomel, eight grains — lime-water, one ounce), or "yellow-wash" (one grain of corrosive sublimate to an ounce or two of lime-water). The surface of the sore may be kept wet with these lotions.

Ricord's treatment of condylomata consists in washing them with a solution of chlorinated soda, and then dusting them with calomel. Mercurial applications are of very great service in cutaneous affections of syphilitic origin. A drachm of calomel to an ounce of lard makes an ointment which is very serviceable in herpes, psoriasis, and pruritus of the vulva and anus. Ringer speaks of calomel-ointment in terms of great praise in various itching affections, especially of the anus and perinaeum. In acne, lotions containing corrosive sublimate, and ointments of green and red iodide, are much employed: Rx Hydrarg. chlor. cor., Эj; glycerini, oz ss; spts. vini rect., oz vij; spts. rosmar., 3 iv. M. For acne and pityriasis of the scalp: Rx Hydrarg. iod. virid., gr. x; adipis, oz j. M. Rx Hydrarg. iod. rubri, gr. v ; adipis, oz j. M. For acne indurata. The following is Startin's lotion of corrosive sublimate for syphilitic eruptions: Rx Hydrarg. chlor. cor., gr. iv; acid, nitric, dil., 3 j; acid, hydrocyan. dil., 3 j ; glycerini, 3 ij; aquae, oz viij. M. For pityriasis, chloasma, etc.

Lotions of corrosive sublimate are much employed in the treatment of parasitic skin-affections. The stronger ones must be used with caution. It is rarely necessary to use a lotion stronger than two grains to the ounce. The following is an excellent formula of Tilbury Fox: Rx Hydrarg. chlor. cor., grs. iv; alcohol, 3 vj ; ammoniae muriat., 3 ss ; aquae rossae, q. s. ad oz vj. M. For scabies, ptheiriasis, and tinea versicolor. A scruple of corrosive sublimate to the ounce of simple ointment is an effective application in favus and tinea tonsurans, when used in the early stages of these affections.

Calomel finely levigated and dusted over the membrane by means of a camel's-hair brush is an excellent local application in phlyctenular ophthalmia. Eczema of the margin of the eyelids is quickly cured by rubbing in every night, after detaching the scales, a small quantity of the brown citrine-ointment. Chronic inflammation of the external auditory meatus is cured by the same application, viz., by allowing a small quantity of the brown citrine-ointment to remain in contact with the integument.

Mr. Marshall strongly recommends the oleates in parasitic skin-diseases. He employs a five-per-cent solution of oleate of mercury in oleic acid, adding an eighth part of ether. This is applied by means of a camel's-hair brush. It is used in sycosis, tinea, and chloasma, porrigo, pruritus ani, and prurituspudendi. The oleates are extremely serviceable remedies for the local treatment of syphilitic induration, but they are not advisable when ulceration exists.

The oleate of mercury and morphia (obtained by the addition of the alkaloid morphia) is an elegant and efficient application in superficial inflammations, especially of joints of the rheumatic and arthritic varieties. Inflammatory indurations, left after the subsidence of acute trouble, are removed by the same combination. For application to these purposes Mr. Marshall employs a five-per-cent, ten-per-cent, and twenty-per-cent solution of oleate of mercury in oleic acid. To every drachm of such solution he adds one grain of morphia.

Mr. C. Bader, the eminent ophthalmologist of London, advises the following ointment in conjunctivitis: Rx Hydrargyri oxidi rubri, gr. x; atropiae sulph., gr. j; vaselin., oz j. M. Dr. Seely, of Cincinnati, strongly urges the use of an ointment of the yellow oxide, eight or ten grains to the ounce of vaseline. He directs that the yellow oxide be triturated to the utmost degree of fineness, and then thoroughly incorporated with the vaseline, the result being a bright-yellow ointment. A portion of this is taken on a probe, the lid lifted up, and the whole is wiped off on the mucous membrane.

For pruritus of the vulva, the following lotion is recommended: Hydrarg. chlor. cor., one part; alum, 20 parts ; starch, 100 parts; and water, 2,500 parts. The official ointment of the red iodide of mercury is an effective application in simple hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, and an enlarged spleen, or ague-cake. A bit of ointment, the size of a large pea, is thoroughly rubbed in over the affected organ, the sun's rays falling on the part if practicable, or the friction may be carried on before a bright fire, or without. As soon as the skin becomes sore the applications are suspended until it recovers, when they may be resumed. The applications should be made daily.

For that parasitic affection of the skin, pityriasis, there is no lotion so effective as a strong solution of corrosive sublimate—Эj— 3 j— oz iv of rose-water. It need hardly be observed that these strong solutions require very careful handling. Less than necessary will fail, and application to an abraded surface will induce toxic symptoms.

As a germicide, corrosive sublimate now occupies the first place, and is, in consequence, largely utilized in medical, surgical, and obstetrical practice. In parasitical diseases, as diphtheria, typhoid, gonorrhoea, etc., excellent results have been obtained by its use (Paul, Martineau, Moutard-Martin). To destroy the infection of wounds, to sterilize instruments, to remove decomposing materials, and to prevent systemic poisoning, corrosive sublimate continues to be employed on an increasing scale—only limited by the danger of its toxic action. It must be remembered that this danger is by no means remote. An early manifestation of toxic action is the occurrence of enteritis, examples of which have been recently published by Fraenkel, Peabody, and others, when a solution of one part to one thousand only had been applied topically. Well-authenticated instances of toxic effects have become so numerous as to demand intelligent supervision during the whole period of its application.

Authorities referred to:

Anderson, Dr. McCall. On the Treatment of Diseases of the Skin, London, 1872. p. 98.

Baumler, Prof. Dr. Christian. Ziemssen's Cyclopaedia, vol. iii, p. 280, American edition.

Bucholtz, Dr. Archiv f. experiment. Pathol, u. Pharm., Band 4, p. 1.

Bumstead, Dr. Freeman J. On the Pathology and Treatment of Venereal Diseases.

Fox, Dr. Tilbury. On Diseases of the Skin, Syphilodermata, p. 277, second Amer. ed.

Fraenkel, Dr. Virchow und Hirsch, Jahresbericht for 1885.

Gombault, M. Arch, de Nevrologie, vol. i, 1880.

Hallopeau, M. Archives, de Phys. et Path., p. 140, 1878.

Hermann, Prof. Dr. L. Lehrbuch der experimentellen Toxicologie, Berlin, 1874, p. 211. Quecksilbersalze.

Kussmaul, A. Untersuchungen über den constit. Mercurialismus (quoted).

Lancereaux, Dr. E. Treatise on Syphilis. Sydenham Society edition, vol. ii, p. 291.

Letulle, M. Recherches clin. et exper. sur les Paralys. Mercurial. Archives de Physiol., etc., No. 8, 1887.

Marechal, Ph. Thése de Paris, 1886 (quoted)

Marshall, Mr. John, F. R.S. The Lancet, vol. i, 1872, p. 709.

Martineau, Dr. Therapeut. Society Discussion, 1885. In Revue de Thérap.; Bui. Gén. de Thérap., and other periodicals.

Miguel, Dr. But. Gen. de Thérap., vol. cvii, p. 80.

Moutard-Martin, Dr. Ibid.

Nothnagel, Prof. Dr. Hermann. Handbuch der Arzneimittellehre, p. 225.

Paul, Dr. C. Ibid.

Peabody, Dr. New York Medical Record for 1885.

Ross, Dr. James. On the Action of Mercury. The Practitioner, vol. v, p. 211.

Rutherford, Prof. William. An Experimental Research on the Physiological Actions of Drugs on the Secretion of Bile, Edinburgh, 1880.

Schmidt's Jahrbucher. Ueber subcutane Injection von Quecksilberpraparaten bei Syphilis, vol. cliii, p. 153. Abstract of papers and works by Hansen, Taylor, Schiitzen-berger, Caspari, Paqvalin, Lewin, Sigmund, etc.

Scott, Dr. George. BeaWs Archives of Medicine, vol. i, p. 209.

Taylor, Dr. A. S. Treatise on Poisons, p. 397, American edition.

Taylor, Dr. R. W. Bone Syphilis in Children, New York, 1S75, p. 155.

The Edinburgh Committee, British Medical Association. On the Cholagogue Action of Mercury. Medical Times and Gazette, vol. ii, 1869, p. 418.

Trousseau et Pidoux. Traité de Thérapeutique et de Matiédre Médicale, huitiéme Edition, vol. i, p. 228.