The use of glycerin enemata in in ternal hwrnorrhoids not approved. R. Lepine (La Sernaine Med., Jan. 30, 'SO).
[In a few cases there has been ob served a stinging in the rectum attend ing the injection, or a burning sensation, lasting a few minutes after the bowels were opened. It was found that this did not occur if the glycerin were mixed with a small quantity of water. In a few other instances there was actual rectal pain, due not so much to the ac tion of the glycerin as to the passage of insufficiently softened faeces. J. P. C. GRIFFITH, Assoc. Ed., Annual, '89.] Suppositories prepared by the addition of stearin and those put up with cacao tried. With the first preparation, in 208 eases, in which the results were noted, in 136 the desired effect was obtained and in 72 there was failure. The second kind of suppositories yielded better re sults, there being only 53 failures out of 230 trials. M. Schmelcher (Therap. Monats., June, '89).
Injections of glycerin act very well in habitual constipation due to sedentary life, alimentation, etc. They are of little value, however, in cases where there is mechanical obstruction, and in constipation following febrile, cerebral, or medullary affections. Glycerin injec tions are of value in irreducible hernia, and should be used from the beginning. Injections of glycerin are superior to suppositories. If made for some time at a given hour of the day, spontaneous evacuation of faeces will eventually take place and the glycerin can be suspended.
The injections are also useful during parturition, hastening the pain and the conclusion of the labor. In certain cases from 5 to 10 drops of glycerin are suffi cient for an injection. A syringe should not be used, as there is danger of wounding the mucous membrane. Glyc erin when thus employed, even for long periods, gives rise to no unpleasant symptoms. Anacker (Deutsche med. Woch., No. 19, '93).
In acute coryza glycerin (1 part to 4 or 5 parts of water) may be used in spray or-applied to the nares by a camel's-hair pencil. Diluted with equal parts of water, it is useful as a mouth-wash; it may be applied on a swab to relieve the dry mouth of typhoid fever or to facili tate the removal of sordes. If the sweet taste is objectionable Ringer suggests a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and lemon-juice. This is also useful in the last stages of chronic diseases, as phthi sis, to relieve the dry, shiny condition of the mouth and tongue.
Glycerite of carbolic acid is a useful application to foul-smelling ulcers and open sores. Glycerite of tannic acid is a useful application in follicular tonsilli tis and pharyngitis. Glycerite of starch is used as a vehicle for cutaneous reme dies and as a bland protection to super ficial abrasions and irritated surfaces.
Glycerite of boroglyceride, an excellent dressing for ulcers, contused and lacer ated wounds, etc., also does good service as a depletant to the cervix uteri, a tam pon, being soaked in it, applied locally to the cervix and renewed daily. In pelvic congestion the application of the tampons should be made two or three times daily, each application being pre ceded by a copious hot-douching.
If the vaginal secretions be scanty the local use of glycerin increases them, but if the secretions be abundant they are not affected by the application of the glycerin. Herman (Brit. Med. Jour., Dec. 15, '89).
Intra-uterine injections of sterilized glycerin in cases of fibromyoma recom mended. A little over a drachm is slowly injected every two or three days, the vagina being subsequently tam poned with cotton or gauze saturated with boroglyceride. The effect of the drug is to cause dryness and atrophy of the endometrium, and hence diminution of the tumor. Cheron (Rev. Internat. de Med. et Chir. Prat., No. 6, '96).
The accidents that have occurred in the induction of labor by the injection of glycerin were caused by the drug being used in large doses for hygroscopical pur poses, and not with the more physiolog ical purpose of stimulating the unstriped muscle. The writer has used glycerin in jections in two cases with marked suc cess. He concludes that the injection of 5 cubic centimetres of glycerin into the cervical canal will bring on strong pains without leading to nephritis or any other ill-effect. It is free from danger of infection which attends injection into the uterine cavity. The introduction of a colpeurynter into the vagina serves to keep up the pains when they have started, and, therefore, makes further in jection of glycerin unnecessary. Koss mann (Therap. Monats., June, '96).
Glycerite of egg-yelk, or glycerin, be sides being useful in preparing emul sions, is an excellent application for chapped hands or face. For this latter purpose glycerin, diluted with 1 to 3 parts of rose-water or orange-flower water, is an elegant preparation. Glyc erite of hydrastis is a soothing and alter ative application to unhealthy and sloughing sores, old leg-ulcers, and sloughing cancerous growths.
Eighty-five cases of renal calculus treated by glycerin. Passage of the stones occurred in from six to thirty-six hours in 31 cases; in 21 cases there was subjective improvement; while in 33 the remedy proved quite inactive. Its ac tion is due to the elimination of the glycerin by the kidneys, and that it serves to lubricate the urinary passages. The dose varies from Ph to 4 ounces, diluted with equal parts of water. mann (Then der Gegenwart, p. 214, '99).