Fibrinous Exudation. iodine is supposed by some to have an anti-plastic effect upon the blood, and therefore to be useful in that kind of inflammation which tends to the formation of false membrane. But we have no positive evidence that it possesses such a property; and, judging from its beneficial effects in certain ulcers which exhibit anything else than a tendency of this kind, I should be disposed to a contrary inference. Nevertheless, I have seen purpurous blotches on the lower extremities, apparently resulting from the use of iodide of potassium; and once attended, in consultation with Dr. Griscom, of this city, a case of what appeared to be pseudomembranous croup, in which the patient recovered under the use of two-grain doses of the same preparation, exhibited at short intervals, I think of not more than two hours, for days together. When first called to the child, I found him under this treatment, and it was not altered.

There are various other affections in which iodine has been used, without any very definite idea of its mode of action. Among these are diabetes, in which cures have occurred under the use of iodide of potassium; asthma, in cases of which the medicine has been thought to exert extraordinary powers, though generally inefficient; and the vomiting of pregnancy, in which two drops of the tincture every two hours, or less frequently, have been found efficacious. M. Roussel, of Bordeaux, has used iodide of potassium internally, with invariable success, in arresting the secretion of milk when desired, or controlling it when in excess. (Gazette des Hopitaux, No. 15.) Dr. H. B. Withers, of Rantoul, Illinois, has had great success with iodide of potassium in erysipelas, having used it in about thirty cases without failure in one. He gave ten grains every two hours, ceasing as soon as symptoms of amendment were observable. The disease was arrested in a period varying from twelve to thirty-six hours. (Am. Journ. of Med. Sci., Jan. 1867, p. 280; from Chicago Med. Journ., Oct. 1866.) iodide of potassium has also been found useful in certain cases of epilepsy, especially when there was reason to suppose the existence of thickening, or other disease of the membranes of the brain, or of the bones, consequent on syphilis, accidental injury, etc.