SOFT SoRE.---The treatment of this affection has been already dealt with incidentally on p. 116 in the description of the methods of treating the bubo which commonly accompanies it.
The surface of the sore should be destroyed by a strong caustic, the most manageable being Carbolic Acid, Pernitrate of Mercury Solution or Nitric Acid applied on a little cotton-wool twisted round a piece of matchwood. In this way any infecting organisms which have not buried themselves deeply are effectually destroyed. After thorough cleansing and drying, the ulcer is sprinkled over with lodoform and covered with gauze or lint, which should be changed at least twice a day.
lodoform unfortunately has its tell-tale odour; as a rule far more is applied than is necessary, and with neatness in dusting, when the patient has a long prepuce, its odour need not be diffused, but when the sore is outside the prepuce the drug may be mixed with Tonquin bean or coumarin gr. to i dr.) to disguise the odour. Aristol, Dermatol, Iodol, Europhen, Orthoform, Xeroform, Antifebrin, or Di-Iodoform may be used when odourless preparations are indicated. Canazzani treats all soft sores by
applying a mixture of 5 drs. Chloral hydrate, 3 drs. Camphor, and 3 oz. Glycerin. Where there is much swelling or pain about the prepuce cooling lotions may he used. \Vielandcr keeps tilta sores covered by lint main tained at a temperature of 4 i° C. to destroy the virulence of the secretion, hut flushing with Hydrogen Peroxide answers all purposes better.
Connell treats all venereal sores by the Ionic method. The surface of the ulcer being covered with a layer of lint soaked in 2 per cent. IIyd. Perchlor. solution, the current, 2 to 4 ma., is turned on for 5 minutes.
Circumcision is often necessary where the prepuce is tight, and this must not be delayed if any signs of sloughing should appear, caustics being applied freely after the operation. For the phagedzenic sore the best remedy is strong Nitric Acid.