FEBRILE MALADIES.—It will be read ily surmised that chloral preparations, chloral-hydrate especially, may find a place in the treatment of pyrexias, not alone because of its sedative, antiseptic, and hypnotic properties, but also be cause of its distinct influence upon tem perature.
Chloral-hydrate is often employed. and very valuably, in fevers, particularly ty m phoid and typhus, especially where want of sleep, together with delirium, rapidly wears out the strength of the patient. Ringer and Sainsbury ("Hand-book of Therap.," '97).
Other morbid conditions in which chloral-hydrate, and some other of the chloral compounds have been employed with varying measures of success are: rheumatism and sciatica; as a dressing for bed-sores and other ulcers, including suppurating malignant and nant growths, cracked nipples, anal fis sure, etc.; as an application to abort ons and boils; for the vomiting of preg nancy; for a purgative action pure and simple; and as a tTnifuge in conjunc tion with male fern and croton-oil. The following is claimed by Bonatti to be a prompt, certain, easily administered drastic purgative, active when even jalap and croton-oil fail:— 4 Infusion of senna, 10 ounces.
Chloral-hydrate, 24 to 45 grains.
Syrup, 1 ounce.-11.
After the removal of polypi, the appli cation of chloral-hydrate will often de ' stroy the base of the growth. Its inter ' nal administration frequently relieves I the pain of acute catarrh of the middle ear, and moreover tends to be remedial by checking and reducing inflammation. A 5-per-cent. solution is sometimes useful to remove granulations in the middle ear, especially if the discharge is markedly purulent. The application of chloral-camphor has sometimes proved effectual in assuaging the pain of mas toid disease.
VEsicANT AcrioN.—Powdered chlo ral, sprinkled over adhesive plaster, gently warmed and laid on the skin, makes a speedy, painless, and effective blister, at least equal if not superior to cantharides and more safe as regards children.
When a marked effect is rapidly re quired, chloral hydrate is better than cantharides and has none of its disad vantag,es. With children, next to iodine it is the counterirritant of choice. The blister will produce erythema, vesica tion, or ulceration, ilS desired. M. T. Brennan (Montreal Med. Jour., May, 1902).