It can be administered internally in substance, in pill, capsule, or watery solu tion (adding some essential oil to cover the taste).
It can be used externally, or topically, in spray, by inhalation or gargle, in oint ment, in suppository or on tampons, in water or oily solutions, or as a varnish (dissolved in collodion or in traumati cin).
To produce an impermeable layer of ichthyol, which can be easily and quickly removed without irritating the skin, the writer uses the following: Ichthyol, 40 parts (by weight) ; starch, 40 parts; concentrated solution of albumin, 1 to PI, parts; water, enough to make 100 parts. The constituents must be mixed in definite order; the starch must be moistened with the water, the ichthyol then rubbed well in, and, finally, the albumin must be added. The concentra tion may be regulated by the thickness of the layer, the first application being wiped off with a moist cloth, so as to have the finest possible coating. An ichthyol - carbolic - acid varnish having the same properties can be made in a similar way, with the omission of the albumin. The formula is: Ichthyol, 25 parts; carbolic acid, 2.5 parts; starch, 50 parts; water, 22.5 parts. The ich thyol and carbolic acid are dissolved in the water with gentle heat, and the starch then added. The first prepara tion, "vernic sum ichthyoli," is recom mended in acne when the skin is irri table, rosacea seborrhceica and rosacea simplex, in "ulerythema centrifugum," in intertrigo, "tubercular" eczema, sebor rheeic eczema, and in erysipelas. Lima (Brit. Jour. of Derm., Apr., '91).
Ichthyol, when given by the mouth, may be increased to 15 grains a day. Locally, it may be mixed with lanolin, zinc ointment, or glycerin, varying in strength from 5 to 50 per cent. For a regenerative action, the weak ointments are better; for a resolvent action, as in gout, rheumatism, and neuralgias, the strong ones are recommended. T. Cran stoun Charles (Lancet, Sept. 26, '91).
When applied externally, previous washing (except when contra-indicated, as in eczema) of the afflicted parts each time, with soap and warm water, and gentle drying are advised. After the painting, inunction, or embrocation, it is best to cover the parts with carded cot ton or flannel, and apply over all rubber cloth or rubber tissue, to prevent evap oration, repeating the process night and morning. To avoid staining the clothes,
ichthyol may be applied pure and then dusted with French chalk to form a crust, the usual dressings being afterward ap plied. The odor of ichthyol may be dis guised, if desired, by the addition of a small quantity of vanillin or cumarin or of the oils of citronella, eucalyptus, or turpentine.
The remedy can be administered by subcutaneous injection in weak, watery solutions (1 to 3 per cent.), but if not freshly prepared the solution must be previously sterilized by boiling for a short time before using. For the hypo dermic injection of exudates and tumors, solutions as strong as 50 per cent. have been employed.
The stains upon the clothing and bed linen, soiled during the application of ichthyol, may be removed by boiling in soap and water, or by washing with soft soap, if attended to at once.
FIEUMATISAI.—Ichthyol is useful in all forms of rheumatism. Its application in these cases is followed by a prompt relief or cessation of the pain, and a diminution of the swelling, redness, and febrile action. Dressings kept constantly moist with a watery solution (10 to 20 per cent.) of ichthyol have proved of great value in acute arthritis, muscular rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica, and gout.
If an ointment be preferred the fol lowing may be used: 13 Ichthyol, 2 to 4 drachms.
Oil of citronella, 15 to 30 drops. Lard, vaselin, or lanolin, 1 ounce. —M.
In acute cases this may be gently rubbed over the affected parts and a piece of linen (lintine) spread with the above applied. This is to be covered with cotton and bandaged firmly. In subacute or chronic cases the ointment is best rubbed in well before applying the cotton and bandage. Ichthyol in olive-oil (1 to 3) may be used in the same way. The effect of these applications, especially in subacute and chronic cases, may be heightened by giving ichthyol sodium (2 to 6 grains) internally, two hours after meals, either alone or com bined with an equal quantity of sodium salicylate.