SUBSTITUTES FOR IODOFOR3I.—Quite a large number of substances have been recommended as possessed of the thera peutic properties of iodoform, without presenting its untoward features. The best known of these are the following: Airol, a gallate of bismuth and iodine, is a light-grayish-green powder, stable in dry air, but when left in contact with moisture iodine is gradually liberated. It is insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Airol is astringent and desic cative, as well as being antiseptic.
Antiseptol (iodosulphate of cincho nine) is an odorous brown powder, which has been recommended as a substitute for iodoform. It contains half its weight of iodine, and is soluble in alcohol or chloroform, but is insoluble in water.
Aristol (di-thymol-iodide) is a reddish brown powder containing 45.8 per cent. of iodine. It is insoluble in water, glyc erin, or alcohol, but soluble in ether or oils.
Aristol has been used successfully in various skin affections: psoriasis, eczema, rhinitis, ozmna, and lupus, but has proved unsatisfactory in lichen rubra, soft chancre, and gonorrhoea. Aristol has a certain effect on venereal ulcers, but acts very slowly; the only advantage it possesses over iodoform is absence of smell—its activity is inferior. It has been found of service in the first and second stages of pulmonary tuberculosis when no cavities exist. It also lessens cough and night-sweats. Burns and scalds have been successfully treated with aristol, and the application in a powder to the cornea in keratitis and in an ointment in corneal ulcers has given good results. It is of great value in nasal affections; it lessens the discharge, re lieves pain, and stops bleeding when used as an insulation in cancer of the cervix uteri.
Di-iodoform, is an ethylene-periodate and consists of carbon, 4.62 parts; and iodine, 95.38 parts. It occurs in yellow crystals, is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol and ether, but dissolves readily in chloroform, carbon disulphide, benzin, and hot toluene. If kept in the dark it remains practically odorless. The compound is an exceedingly stable one. It is said to be well borne by the stomach and to be much less toxic than iodoform.
Europhen (iso - butyl - ortho - cresyl iodide) occurs as a pale-orange, non crystalline powder, containing 28 per cent. of iodine.
Europhen possesses powerful antisep tic properties, and, being resinous to the touch, it adheres well to mucous mem brane and wound-surface, and does not easily cake. It is non-poisonous, and acts only when brought into contact with secreting surfaces, which decompose it and liberate iodine. It is especially use ful in dentistry. Europhen may be used with advantage in all cases where iodo form has been employed.
Iodol (tetra - iodo - pyrrol) contains about twenty-seven parts in thirty. It is obtained by precipitating pyrrol with iodo-iodate of potassium. It is a micro crystalline, brownish-white powder, hav ing a faint thyme-like smell, and is soluble in water. Iodol is said to be non toxic: a statement which should not be accepted with absolute confidence. Still, that it is much less likely to produce un toward symptoms than iodoform is cer tain.
Iodol may be used in all conditions for which iodoform is indicated. It consti tutes an excellent antiseptic for all kinds of ulceration, including those of a specific nature. Iodol has been used with good results in gonorrhoeal affections, hard and soft chancres, and various disorders of mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva. It possesses some anaes thetic action, and acts as an astringent when the discharge is copious.
Iodol-ether is a 10- to 20-per-cent. ethereal solution for injection into fistu lous tracts and for sprays. By spraying it upon the gauze with which a wound has been bandaged an excellent iodol gauze is had. (Filarial. Centra]h., xxxvii, p. 475, '96).
Iodol used in about eight hundred cases of soft and hard chancre and ero sion of the neck of the uterus. In soft chancre a healthy granulation was quickly obtained at the base of the ulcer, while in hard chancre the induration quickly disappeared. An important point in the treatment, and one essential to its success, is that the base of the ulcer should always be carefully cleansed, in order to prevent decomposition of the iodol. Majocchi (Univ. Med. Jour., Feb., '96).