CUTANEOUS DISORDERS. — In acute eczema, when there is much serous dis charge, no application is more efficient than the following: Sodium carbonate, V, drachm; water, 1 pint; cover the eruption with lint soaked in this solu tion, which may be made stronger in old cases where the skin is much thickened (Bartholow). When the weeping has ceased and mere desquamation remains, the alkali ceases to be of use (Ringer).
The pruritus of eczema, lichen, urtica ria, dermatitis, burns, and frost-bite may be relieved by applications of the fol lowing: Sodium bicarbonate, 3 drachms; glycerin and distilled extract of witch hazel, of each, 3 ounces. The itching of urticaria and lichen will often yield to a solution of carbonate (1 to 96); applied with a sponge it often gives great com fort and ease.
Poison-ivy eruption and other forms of pruritus may be soothed by the hypo sulphite in solution (1 to 16), the solu tion of the bicarbonate, or by the solu tion of chlorinated soda diluted (1 to 32).
In parasitic skin diseases, especially those due to the tricophyton fungus, as pityriasis versicolor, the hyposulphite (1 to 8) in solution or ointment is valuable. Startin recommends the following: So dium hyposulphite, 3 ounces; dilute sul phurous acid,V, ounce; water, sufficient to make 1 pint. In tines versicolor and pruritus vulvre Fox finds the following useful: Sodium hyposulphite, 4 drachms; glycerin, 2 drachms; water, sufficient to make 6 ounces.
In scabies the hyposulphite has been used successfully. After the morning bath apply the hyposulphite in solution (1 to 1) to the affected part and allow it to dry on the skin; at night bathe with the following lotion, which may be di luted if found too strong: Dilute hydro chloric acid, 4 ounces; distilled water, 6 ounces. (Ohmann-Dumesnil.) For the removal of freckles, sunburn, and tan, Trousseau recommends the use of the following lotion: Sodium chlo ride, 2 drachms; potassium carbonate, 3 drachms; rose-water, S ounces; orange flower water, 2 ounces. The inflamma tion of sunburn may be subdued by ap plications of the bicarbonate in solution.
In hyperidrosis of the feet and the axilhe a solution of the carbonate freely applied locally will remove the factor and diminish the secretion of sweat.
In burns and scalds the bicarbonate in powder or in solution will relieve the pain and soreness very promptly.
The carbonate is used externally, when it is desirable to soften or remove scaly or scabby accumulations upon the skin, as in certain forms of eczema, plica polonica, etc.