Cullodium

Collodion

Collodion. Is a slightly opalescent liquid, of a sirupy consistence. By long standing it deposits a layer of fibrous matter, and becomes more transparent. This layer should be reincorporated, by agitation, before the collodion is used. When applied, it should form a colorless, transparent, flexible, and strongly contractile film.

Collodium Flexile

Flexible collodion. (Collodion, 920 grm.; Canada turpentine, 50 grm.; castor-oil, 30 grm.)

Liquor Gutta-Perchae

Solution of gutta-percha. (Gutta-percha, nine parts; carbonate of lead, ten parts; commercial chloroform, ninety-one parts.)

Actions and Uses

These solutions, when applied to the integument, evaporate, leaving a transparent film or coating impervious to air and moisture. In drying, collodion contracts energetically, and may indeed produce such a degree of constriction as to cause pain, and to render the part bloodless. Flexible collodion contains turpentine and castor-oil, which confer the property of flexibility, while they do not impair the impermeability of the film. The solution of guttapercha has properties similar to flexible collodion.

These solutions are employed to protect exposed parts from the contact of air, to secure primary union of incised wounds, to cause resolution of inflamed parts by mechanical pressure, etc.

Some cases of chronic tubercular and squamous skin-diseases are much improved by coating them with the gutta-percha solution. Previous to the application of the solution all scales should be removed. Excellent results have been obtained in herpes zoster by a thick coating of the flexible collodion or the gutta-percha solution: the pain is relieved, the vesicles aborted, and the duration of the disease shortened. As this is a self-limited disease, there must remain a suspicion of post hoc rather than propter hoc. Erysipelas, especially of the traumatic variety, is, at least, much relieved as regards the local symptoms by a thick coating of flexible collodion, but there is no evidence that it actually shortens the duration of the disease. Burns to the first degree are greatly benefited by the same application; it prevents contact of the air, and allays the irritation and pain. When, however, there is much exudation, or sloughing takes place, an impermeable coating adds to the distress.

Collodion has been used without much success in small-pox, to hinder the development of the pustules. Small boils, carbuncles, naevi, and even superficially placed aneurisms, may be so compressed as to arrest the local inflammation or to cause coagulation of the blood. Orchitis may be treated by a coating of collodion, instead of strapping. When the mechanical effects of the collodion are to be obtained, successive layers must be applied.

Fissures of the nipples are best treated by flexible collodion or guttapercha solution. The fissures are carefully wiped dry, well approximated, and then thoroughly coated. Nipples that are retracted may be made more prominent by surrounding them, after being well drawn out, with a thick layer of collodion so placed that on contracting it will pucker the skin of the areola.

Collodion has been used with success as a means of compression in umbilical hernia, spina-bifida, varicocele, etc.