Forty-eight eases treated with sulph ichthyol of soda in doses increasing, up to 20 grains a day. It has a peculiarly fa vorable influence on the general condi tion. Its action was especially good in rheumatism. Lorenz (Berl. klin. Woch., July 1G, 'M.
After several days the stomach can tolerate to IV. drachms of ichthyol. Therapeutic action is largely due to the 15 per cent. of sulphur which it contains. F. Vigier (La Semaine Med., Feb. IS, '91).
Ichthyol recommended hypodermically, as it possesses, under these circum stances, analgesic properties. Particu larly is it of value in cases of neuralgic pains associated with inflammatory proc esses which have caused exudations. Damines (These de la Facult6 de Paris, '02).
PERITONITIS.—In peritonitis ichthyol is best applied pure, with a brush, over the whole abdomen. The abdomen is covered by cotton, and that again by rubber tissue or thin rubber cloth to prevent evaporation. Pain, tenderness, tympanites, and fever subside under this treatment.
PlITHISIS.—Scarpa treated a series of 150 cases of tuberculosis with ichthyol, giving 20 to 200 drops daily of a watery solution of the pure drug (1 to 2) with the following results: 23 deaths; 17 ap parently cured; 50 notably improved; 32 some improvement; 28 not improved. The beneficial action of the remedy was manifested first in the relief of the cough, expectoration, and dyspncea, and later by an improvement in the general condition.
Ichthyol recommended in pulmonary tuberculosis. It is cheaper than creasote, and in many cases is better borne. The writer has used it during the past two years in more than 100 cases with good results; particular attention called to the remarkable effect it has on nutrition. He prescribes a mixture of equal parts by weight of ichthyol and water, and directs 4 drops to be taken t. d., before meals if it can be borne; if not, after meals. A little black coffee helps to cover the taste. The dose must be grad ually increased by a drop daily, until 40 drops are taken at once; it should al ways be taken well diluted with water. The full dose must be continued for a long time. Cohn (Lancet, i, 1521, '04).
In the treatment of pulmonary tuber culosis, dry catarrh, purulent catarrh, bronchial dilatation with foetid expecto ration, acute bronchitis, best effects ob tained from employment of ichthyol. In numerous cases of tuberculosis the use of guaiacol or creasote was alternated with that of ichthyol for several months with excellent results. It was employed in capsules containing 4 grains each and covered with a coating which enabled the capsule to pass through the stomach into the intestine without becoming dis solved. From 4 to S capsules a day were taken at meal-times. In two-thirds of the cases there was an increase in weight. M. he Tanneur (Gaz. des Hopi taux; Revue Med., Jan. 5, '98).