This section is from the book "Materia Medica And Therapeutics Inorganic Substances", by Charles D. F. Phillips. Also available from Amazon: Materia medica and therapeutics.
For destroying unhealthy growths, the edges of strumous ulceration, etc., caustic soda has been sometimes used. It is less deliquescent than potash, but yet is very diffusible, and readily extends its action: it therefore requires the precaution of protecting adjacent parts, and of neutralizing with weak vinegar or oil after application.
 
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