GENITOURINARY DISEASES. — In in flammation of the bladder and rectum this drug has been used in solution as an injection. In acute rectal catarrh with mucous diarrhoea and tenesmus H. C. Wood advises the use of a solution (20 grains to 1 ounce) of chlorate of potash by rectal injection; not more than 4 ounces of the solution should be used at one time and that should be retained for twenty minutes. A cure will often result after one or two injections. In some cases it is well to add a saturated solution of the chlorate to an equal quantity of starch-water, as the latter aids in allay ing the irritation. This is also useful in hemorrhoids, especially if a few drops of laudanum are added (Hare).
SKIN DISEASES.—The irritant action of the chlorate upon mucous membranes was utilized by P. D. Keyser in the treat ment of epithelioma of the eyelid, who suggested daily applications of finely powdered chlorate to the tumors, in many cases obviating the use of the knife.
Dumontpallier (Presse Med., Mar. 18, '06) has used the chlorate in three cases of tumors of the gums and of the tongue. One patient had been operated on for epithelioma of the tongue and during convalescence a recurrent nodule ap peared near the cicatrix. Applications of
lunar caustic were made, but the nodule increased in size until in dimension and shape it resembled a large bean and was papillomatous in appearance. Local ap plications of the chlorate, in powder, were made six times daily, and 6 grains were given internally every four hours. In six weeks it was one-half the original size; three weeks later two small painless protuberances were visible, and two months later the growth had entirely disappeared. Continuance of treatment for two or three months is ad vised, and absolute assurance of the func tional activity of the kidneys is necessary. The condition of the teeth, as a cause of irritation, should be ascertained.
The chlorate of potassium has been employed with more or less success in cutaneous disorders attended with sup puration. It has been found beneficial in the suppurative stage of sycosis, in pustular acne, in eczema pustulosa, and in the treatment of furuncles and car buncles. Externally the chlorate has been found useful in powder or in satu rated solution, as an application to un healthy ulcers.