CUTANEOUS DISORDERS. — Poitevin suggests the application of a layer of absorbent cotton dipped in a 2-per-cent. formalin solution and covered with an oil-silk or rubber bandage in parasitic diseases (ringworm) of the skin. Its vapors diffuse readily, even through masses of fatty matter, which makes it specially suitable for the treatment of deeply-implanted diseased hair, and also for the disinfection of the hair-follicles filled with sebaceous matter. In case of irritation of the skin, the bandage may be removed for a day. It has also been recommended in cases of psoriasis and lupus as a local application.
Good results from the use of the 40-per-cent. solution of formaldehyde painted on in ringworm of the scalp; 40 cases were thus treated, and microscop ical examinations, made both before and after the application, showed the tricho phyton to have disappeared in each case. Temporary irritation and production of a thick crust rendered the subse quent application of an emollient ad visable. (Edema of the face, unaccom panied by pain or constitutional disturb ance, was a remarkable complication in 6 of the cases, but was only noticed when the area painted was large. Salter (Brit. Med. Jour., vol. ii, p. 650, '96).
When a watery solution of gelatin is allowed to dry in formalin-vapor the chemical characteristics of the gelatin are altered. It is no longer affected by hot or cold water, nor by acids or Al kalies. Animal tissues, however, have
the power of breaking up the combina tion and setting the formalin free. When the formalin-gelatin, ground to a fine powder and mixed with cultures of various forms of pathogenic bacteria, was introduced into animals, the bac teria did not develop, and the wounds healed without trouble.
With this formalin-gelatin powder every acute suppuration can be stopped in twenty-four hours, and wounds made to heal aseptically.
The writer has used it in 120 cases of acute suppurative processes, in 93 asep tic wounds, 4 compound fractures, and 2 deep scalp wounds. The wounds were only cleansed mechanically, and then thoroughly rubbed with the powder.
In cases of necrotic masses, in old ulcers, etc., the formalin-gelatin powder is dusted on the wound, and then cov ered with a dressing wet with the pep sin solution and the digestive process keeps up a continuous supply of formal dehyde-vapor for the wound. The pow der is made by drying 500 grammes of purified and dissolved gelatin in the vapor of 25 drops of formalin. Schleich (Therap. Monats., Feb., '96).
Schleich's formalin-gelatin marks a distinct advance in the treatment of suppuration, giving the most perfect re sults in those cases where the cellulitis is moderate and the pus abundant. E. M. Foote (Med. News, Nov. 14, '96).