CUTANEOUS DISORDERS.—In skin dis eases phosphorus may often be substi tuted for arsenic, with advantage. In boils and carbuncles, in acne indurata or inveterate, in psoriasis, and in eczema of nervous origin calcium phosphate or the alkaline hypophosphites are valu able. In lupus erythematosus, L. D. Bulkley, of New York, has found phos phorus invaluable. He uses Thompson's solution, as it causes less gastric and hepatic disturbance than the oily solu tions or pills. (Thompson's solution of phosphorus is made by dissolving 1 grain of phosphorus in 5 drachms of ab solute alcohol with gentle heat, and add ing a warmed mixture of ounces of glycerin, 2 drachms of alcohol, and 40 minims of spirit of peppermint; one drachm of this solution contains grain of phosphorus.) He begins with 15 minims of the solution, quickly added to water and quickly taken, after meals thrice daily. The dose is gradually in creased until 40 to 45 drops are taken; exceptionally, the dose may be increased to 60 drops. If gastric disturbance ap pear, it should be attended to and the drug stopped. If constipation be pres ent, a pill of blue mass, colocynth, and ipecac is indicated. When the gastric functions are restored, the use of phos phorus should be resumed. The treat ment may be continued, with careful watching, for months, in this malady, and great benefit may be expected.
Hyperidrosis due to nervous debility is checked by phosphorus.
Therapeutics of the Phosphates and Hypophosphites. — The hypophosphite of calcium and the precipitated phos phate of calcium are of value in the treatment of scrofulosis, struma, and rachitis. The hypophosphites and lac tophosphites are found useful in rickets and in slow and delayed union of fract ured bones. In dental caries and arm
mia of nursing women, in general de bility and nervous prostration, and in hepatic torpor they will do good.
The lactophosphates and hypophos phites are simply convenient modes of administering calcium, potassium, and other substances, while phosphorus acts as a stimulant to bone-growth and not by its deposition in the bone; this dif ference between these salts and phos phorus should be clearly borne in mind. (Hare.) Phosphate of sodium is considered by Bartholow the best remedy in hepatic cirrhosis and jaundice, in doses of 20 grains to 2 drachms, in single dose or repeated several times a day, according to the laxative effect desired. Hare recommends phosphate of sodium for bottle-fed children, who continually al ternate between diarrhoea and constipa tion, added in doses of 2 to 4 grains to each bottle of milk.
The hypophosphites have been largely used in the treatment of incipient phthisis. II. W. Gardner, of New York has followed out the suggestions of Churchill, in the preparation of various syrups of the single hyphosphites. Churchill advises against a combination of different hypophosphites because the different bases are indicated in different stages of the disease: Soda in the in cipient stage; lime in the second and third stages; quinine hypophosphite in the initial treatment of far advanced cases, to be followed by lime or soda later on; lime reduces expectoration; soda favors expectoration; the tendency of the hypophosphites is to create pleth ora; therefore discrimination in dosage is necessary, when there is any tendency to pulmonary hmmorrhage.