PARENCHYMATOUS INJECTIONS.— These are still considerably employed in hydrocele after evacuation of the fluid. The iodine is supposed to excite local in flammation and obliteration of the cavity. Hydatid cysts can also be treated ad vantageously in the same manner, a few drops of the tincture injected in the cavity being sufficient. In empycma the removal of the liquid by aspiration and the injection of a weak solution (6 grains of iodine and iodide of potassium to the pint, according to H. C. Wood) may be used to wash out the pleura every day. If no untoward symptoms are observed, the strength of the solution can be in creased. This solution may be used in washing out abscesses of all kinds. In cystic goitre parenchymatous injections have also proved curative (see GOITRE).
Iodoform.
This precious agent was introduced by Serullas in 1822, but was first used in practice by Bouchardat in 1836, then by Clover in 1837. Rhigini, in 1853, brought to light its great value as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Iodoform is obtained by the action of various alco hols or proteid compounds upon iodine and occurs as small yellow crys tals, having a penetrating persistent saffron-like odor, which adheres to every object with which the drug comes in con tact. This peculiar odor is one of the greatest drawbacks of iodoform and has greatly contributed to limit its employ ment. Patients are rendered obnoxious to their friends, while the physician can with difficulty rid himself of the , offen siveness incurred by its use as a remedy.
Among the methods recommended to deodorize iodoform without altering its therapeutic properties are the follow ing:— Oil of sassafras, 4 drops to the ounce of iodoform (Dodsley).
A few drops of any of the aromatic oils: almonds, musk, tar, etc. (Charteris).
Oil of evodia fraxinifolia, 2 drops to the ounce of iodoform (Helbing).
One part of menthol and 1 part of oil of lavender to 20 parts of iodoform (Can trelli).
One part of menthol to 20 parts of iodoform (Caubrelle).
One or 2 parts of creolin to 100 of iodo form (von Jaksch).
To remove the odor from the hands or the clothes of the surgeon the readiest means is to use ether or chloroform (Washburn).
Washing the hands with orange-flower water is sufficient to dispel the odor of iodoform after handling that substance. Constan (Lyon Med., Nov. 28, '97).
Vinegar applied freely to the bands after they have been cleansed with soap and water will effectually remove the odor of iodoform. Ricketts (Treatment, Feb. 22, 1900).
Preparations and Dose.—In the treat ment of wounds the powder is generally used, and with dangerous freedom by many surgeons. Thirty grains should be the limit for any single application of the drug, and a smaller quantity should be employed as a rule.
Internally, the powder may be given in doses ranging from 1 to 5 grains to adults.
Iodoform is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, alcohol, and the fixed volatile oils. Ethylic alcohol saturated with camphor can dissolve eight times as much iodoform as pure alcohol.
Solutions of iodoform should be kept in red or green glass bottles, in order to prevent the liberation of iodine from them under the influence of light.
When glycerin or oil is used 5- or 10 per-cent. solution is generally preferred. The former is preferred for the treatment of serous cavities.
The iodoform-oil is of more value to the average physician than the iodoform glycerin mixture, because of the ease with which it can be prepared and ster ilized. The sterilization of the latter, however, may be done as follows: The glycerin should be heated by itself, and after it has been allowed to cool the proper amount of iodoform should be added. The advantages of this method are that the iodoform is not decomposed by the heat. Stubenrauch (Centralb. f. Chin, Dec. 10, '92).
At a temperature of 64.5° F. 67 parts of alcohol at 95 per cent. are required to dissolve 1 part of iodoform, while at the boiling-point 9 parts at 95 per cent. are sufficient to dissolve I part; of ether, 5.0 parts are required to dissolve 1 part of iodoform. G. Vulpius (Pharm. Cen tralh. f. Deutschland, '93).