CUTANEOUS DISORDERS. - Salicylic acid and the salicylates have been used with benefit in various cutaneous dis orders. For the relief of eczema and in tertrigo a 4-per-cent. ointment may be used. In eczema of the face, in the moist or weeping stage, the following will be found efficient: Salicylic acid, 5 to 10 grains; powdered starch and oxide of zinc, of each, 2 drachms; petrolatum, ounce. If in the subacute stage stimulation be necessary, the salicylic acid should be increased to 20 or 30 grains.
Parasitic disorders generally yield to salicylic acid in the strength of 1 to 500.
H. Radcliffe Crocker (Lancet, June S, '95) administered the salicylates in a case of psoriasis accompanied by symp toms of amygdalitis in which the im provement in the appearance of the patches from week to week was very remarkable. He has found the salic ylates especially beneficial in cases of psoriasis guttata of extensive and recent development, the very form unsuited for medication by either thyroid extract or arsenic. The development of any gastro intestinal irritation was met by the sub stitution of an alkaline sedative for a few days and the subsequent resumption of the salicylates in smaller doses.
In the various forms of erythema mul tiforme, in erythema nodosum, and in lupus erythematosus improvement fol lowed the use of the salicylates. Ery thema following horseback-riding or bi cycle-riding may be relieved through the use of an ointment consisting of 10 grains of salicylic acid in 1 ounce of benzoated lard.
The itching of urticaria may be allayed by the use of a dusting-powder com posed of 5 parts of salicylic acid, 15 parts of zinc oxide, and 30 parts of powdered starch. Chronic urticaria is often re lieved by the internal use of '20-grain doses of salicylic acid, three times daily. For pruritus of the vulva and anus the following has been suggested: Salicylic acid, 2 drachms; cacao-butter, 5 drachms; white wax, 2 drachms; oil of nutmeg, 1 V, drachms.
From the use of salicylic acid for by peridrosis of the feet and hands varying results have been reported. Equal parts of salicylic acid and powdered starch or talc will remove the fcetor.
Corns and warts are best removed by the use of the salicylic-acid plaster-mull of trona, which consists of from 30 to 50 parts of salicylic acid and 5 to 10 parts of creasote spread upon gutta percha. A saturated solution of salicylic acid in collodion is a reliable application.
Salicylic acid has been employed as an antiseptic and deodorizer in chronic ozrena, a solution of 1 to 1000 being used as a nasal douche.
Soft chancres and venereal sores may be dressed with salicylic acid in oint ment or powder. The ointment may be prepared as follows: Salicylic acid, 20 grains; alcohol, 45 drops; benzoated lard, 2 ounces. For use as a dusting powder, 1 part of the acid is mixed with S parts of powdered starch or chalk.