The disagreeable, penetrating, and diffusive odor of iodoform has greatly restricted its use. The attempts made to overcome this inconvenient quality have not been satisfactory, and hence the attention of chemists has been turned in the direction of a substitute, which shall be possessed of the valuable powers of iodoform and free from its unpleasant odor. Iodol has been produced, and may be employed in all of the conditions for which iodoform has hitherto been prescribed. The new medicament is obtained by the action of iodine on certain constituents of animal oil. Its chemical name is Tetraiodopyrol. The proportion of iodine is quite large—about 85 parts to 90 by weight—yet not equal to iodoform in this respect, which contains about 96 parts.

Iodol occurs in the form of a grayish-white powder which darkens by exposure to light, is without odor, has very little taste, is readily soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, but is almost insoluble in water. It is, however, quite soluble in the juices of the stomach, for its characteristic actions take place in a short time after its ingestion. The dose for internal administration will range from one fourth of a grain to five grains. It can be given in a wafer, in pill or pellet, or in simple powder,,

Although iodol contains somewhat less of iodine than iodoform, it parts with that constituent more readily, whence we conclude that it is quite as effective. Clinical experience confirms this view, for iodol, applied in all the morbid conditions heretofore treated by iodoform, has been found to be quite as useful. It is antiseptic, deodorant, and anaesthetic. Iodine liberated acts on the albuminous elements, and ozone set free oxidizes the compounds of sulphur and phosphorus. It has a feeble escharotic action, whence it forms a thin crust on the surface to which it is applied, and thus acts mechanically in part to retain the medicament in contact with the diseased surface.

The proof that iodol diffuses throughout the organism is conclusive. Applied to a wounded surface, it can presently be detected in the saliva and in the urine, and the same results are obtained when it is administered by the stomach. As compared with iodide of potassium it is much less prompt in action, but more prolonged, and its elimination slower (Pick, Mazzoni).

Experience has now shown that it is never necessary to administer a quantity of iodol that could cause toxic symptoms. Unlike iodoform, no quantity, applied to an open wound, will have a toxic effect (Wolfenden). As a remedy, various modes of application have been proposed—as an impalpable powder, to be dusted on wounds, ulcers, etc., without any addition to it, or any vehicle. A solution in alcohol and glycerin, thus: iodol, 1 part; alcohol, 16 parts; glycerin, 34 parts, was proposed originally by Mazzoni, and much used by him as a topical application. An ethereal solution (3 j— oz j) has some advantage, in that when the ether evaporates, the medicament remains deposited in the minutest subdivision on the affected part. Various forms of applications are now resorted to—for example, iodol pastils, bougies, ointment; iodol cotton, iodol gauze, etc., corresponding to those made with iodoform.

Without repeating the various therapeutical details, it will suffice to say that iodol can be advantageously substituted for iodoform in the multiform applications of the latter which have had so much professional appreciation within a few years past. That iodol can effectively improve morbid conditions, appropriate for its action, is now admitted by all those who have had experience in its use.

Authorities referred to:

Carreras-Arago. Iodol in Ophthalmic Practice. Abstract in Virchow and Hirsch's Jahresbericht, 1886.

Mazzoni, Marcus, and others, in Berliner klin. Woch. Various Nos. for 1885 and 1886.

Pick, Dr. J. P. Revue de Thérapeutique, May 15, 1887, p. 260. Ibid., 1885, 1886.

Therapeutic Gazette. Therapeutics of Iodol, May 16, 1887.

Schnirer, Dr. Bul. Gén. de Thérap., February 15, 1887.

Trousseau, Dr. Ibid.

Wolfenden, Dr. R. N. The Practitioner, vol. xxxviii, p. 336.

Authorities referred to for iodoform, iodol, and ethyl iodide:

Bellini, of Florence, and Renzi, of Naples. Controversy on the Action of Iodine, reported in L'Union Médicale, No. 20, p. 481.

Benedict, Dr. Moriz. Schmidt's Jahrbücher der gesammten Medicin, vol. cxv, p. 284

Binz, Prof. Dr. C. Ueber Iodoform und über Iodsaure. Archiv für experiment. Pathologie und Pharmacologie, Band viii, p. 309.

Culbertson, Dr. R. H. Therapeutic Gazette, March 15, 1885.

Frankel, Dr. B. Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, ix, 6, 1872.

Hebra, Prof. Von. Allg. Wien. med. Zeitg., vii, 3, 1862. Schmidt's Jahrbücher, voL cxvii, p. 26.

Hermann, Dr. Jos. Die Nichtexistenz des constitutionellen lodismus. Schmidt's Jahrbücher, vol. cxii, p. 19.

Hogyes, Prof. Andreas. Anmerkungen über die physiologische Wirkung des Iodoform und über eine Umwandlung im Organismus. Archiv für experiment, Pathologie und Pharmacologie, Band x, p. 228.

Hutchison, Mr. Jonathan. Lancet, May 22, 1875, p. 725.

Kammerer, Prof. Dr. Hermann. Archiv für path. Anat. und Phys., von Rudolph Virchow, 1874, p. 459. The article of Binz, above referred to, was instigated by this paper.

Küster, Prof. Dr. Revue de Chirurgie, 1882, and L' Union Medicale, August, 1882.

Lawrence, Dr. New York Medical Journal, 1881, p. 685.

Lindemann, Dr. Annuaire de Therapeutique, 1881, p. 269.

Mundy, Prof. Dr. Berliner klin. Wochenschrift, No. 14, 1882, quoted by L'Union Med., No, 125, 1882, p. 439.

Poliakoff, Dr. London Medical Record for February 15, 1886.

Rosenthal, Prof. Dr. Zur Kenntniss der Resorption und Absorption der lodprapa-rate. Wien. med. Woch., xiii, 1863.

Rummo, Dr. Archives de Physiol, normale et pathol., Nos. 6 and 7, 1885.

Rummo and Renzi. London Medical Record, 1885.

Sands, Dr. H. B. New York Medical Journal, November 12, 1882.

Schede, Prof. Dr. Deut. med. Zeit., quoted by the London Medical Record, July 15, 1882.

Schmidt, Dr. J. B. Berl. klin. Wochen., vii, 34, 1870.