• Airol Poisoning. — The untoward ef fects of airol were recently shown in a case treated by Aemmer: after using injections of iodoform-oil without benefit in an abscess resulting from hip disease, this surgeon evacuated the pus and in jected 9 drachms of a 10-per-cent. emul sion of airol in equal parts of olive-oil and glycerin. The immediate effects were acute local pain, headache, and coryza; but three days afterward symp toms of bismuth poisoning supervened: fwtid breath, blackish line on the gums; swelling, tenderness, and ulceration of the lips, gums, and pharynx interfering with mastication and deglutition; head ache, anorexia, nausea, and prostration. To relieve these symptoms, which were becoming more serious, it was necessary to open the abscess and remove the emul sion of airol. The patient rapidly grew better, but a slate-colored pigmentation of the buccal mucous membrane per sisted for a month. Aemmer has found that a certain quantity of airol is dis solved by glycerin, and that intoxication is, no doubt, favored thereby. It is, therefore, better not to use glycerin in combination with airol. Goldfarb has also drawn attention to the fact that applications of airol are sometimes very badly tolerated. Zelenski found that its use on a burn was followed by intense pain and the formation of large bulln containing yellow fluid, and that a sup pository containing 3 grains of airol introduced into an anal fistula caused suffering comparable to the red-hot iron.
Therapeutics. — The delay in the growth of organisms produced by airol is slightly greater than that resulting from iodoform, and infinitely more than the effect of dermatol. It is found that the influence of antiseptic powders is greater the earlier their use is com menced; in acute phlegmonous proc esses, however, they do but little good, while, the more chronic the inflamma tion, the better the results obtained, whence their special indication in tuber culosis. The two great advantages in
this respect which airol has over iodo form are: first, the fact that a small quantity of its iodine is liberated as soon as it comes in contact with the tissues, and, secondly, that the presence of bis muth exercises a powerful desiccating influence upon the secretion, thereby greatly aiding antisepsis.
Two thousand cases treated with airol not one of which showed sign of bismuth poisoning. Airol gauze (20 per cent.) also employed as a dry dressing. Its value is particularly striking in super ficial lesions, such as ulcers and burns. In tuberculous abscesses the form em ployed is a 10-per-cent. emulsion in equal parts of glycerin and water. It is ex tremely bulky, being four times as light as iodoform, and twice as light as derma tol. Haegler (Brit. Med. Jour., Apr. 24, '97).
In treating wounds the paste is per fectly unirritating and non-toxic, dries rapidly, and adheres firmly, and pos sesses hygroscopic and antiseptic quali ties which render it superior to any other preparation. The paste is equally adapted to all parts of the body, and the dressings cannot become loose or movable. V. Bruns gives the following formula:— • Airol, 1 drachm.
Mucilage, 2 drachms.
Glycerin, 2 drachms.
Argilla alba (kaolin), sufficient to make a soft paste.
If the paste becomes too dry, glycerin may be added; if it be too soft, kaolin should be rubbed up with it. No metal instruments should be employed in pre paring the paste, since many metals liberate iodine from airol. For the same reason no water, but always glycerin, is to be used in the preparation. The paste is preserved in well-stoppered glass or porcelain jars, which are not to be left open after use. Honsell (Deut. med. Woch., xxvii, No. 17, 1901).