SURGICAL USES. — Iodine possesses marked antiseptic properties, as first shown by Liebig. Fibrin immersed in iodized water does not undergo putre faction. Pus treated with iodine does not have the fwtid odor after several days which can, without the iodine, be detected in a few hours when exposed to the air. The addition of a few drops of iodine to foetid pus causes the odor to dis appear.
Irrigations of iodine-water, of the strength of 1 to 10,000, used for the treatment of wounds, this to be fol lowed by the application of either pure aristol or a mixture of 1 part of aristol to 4 of boric acid. Under such treat ment luxuriant and profusely-bleeding granulations quickly returned to their normal appearance. Tikon von Popoff (Brit. Med. Jour., Sup., Aug. 1, '91).
Iodine trichloride is recommended for the treatment of tuberculosis and sup purative processes. It may also be em ployed for cancerous surfaces and vene real sores, in 5- to 20-per-cent. solution in equal parts of water, ether, and glyc erin. Solutions stronger than 5 per cent. cause smarting in ordinary wounds. The author states that gauze sterilized by boiling and dried, after being immersed in a 1- to 10-per-cent. aqueous solution, retains iodine trichloride for an indefi nite time. Belfield (Med. Record, July
16, '92).
Good results obtained in the treatment of two cases of vesical tuberculosis and one of tubercular epididymitis by a 5 per-cent. aqueous solution of iodine tri chloride. Belfield (Jour. Cut. and Genito-Urin. Dis., Aug., '92).
A litre of spring-water may be ster ilized in a few minutes by 4 drops of tincture of iodine; even less will cause the annihilation of pathogenic microbes. Meillere (La Tribune Mad., Dec. 26, '94).
Excellent results obtained in the treat ment of tubercular joint-disease, tuber cular adenitis, and even in pulmonary tuberculosis, by the hypodermic injec tion of iodine in the following combina tion: from 1 to 5 parts of iodine, 10 parts of the potassium iodide, and 100 parts of distilled water; 1 cubic centimetre of this liquid being injected each day, using first the 1-per-cent. solution and gradually advancing to the 5-per-cent. solution. The injections of iodine should be continued for at least six months. Durante (Med. Week, '94, ii, p. 274).
Iodine injected into sinuses greatly aids in their closure. De Forest Willard (Annals of Surgery, Dec., '96).