PLASTERS Plasters represent a skin medication the consistency of which lies between that of salve and wax. The best plasters for pediatric purposes are either soap plasters or Unna's guttapercha plastermull (" paraplaste ").
Among the best softening media for all chronic skin affections (eczema, psoriasis, etc.), and for all anomalies of cornification in which a very considerable softening of the corneal masses is required, as in corns, callosities, etc., are the following:— Soap plaster with an addition of 5 to 20 per cent. of salicyl spread on a piece of linen according to Pick's instructions: Soap plaster with an addi tion of 21 per cent. to 10 per cent. of salicyl spread on very soft "tricot." The Beiersdorf plaster consists of a layer of caoutehouc plaster mass which is glued upon a thin layer of gutta pereha. The other side of the gutta percha is covered with mull. The caoutchotte plaster mass may be
mixed with 50 per cent. to 70 per cent. of medicaments. The plasters are soft and pliable, the medicaments are accurately dispensed, and in consequence of the impermeable gutta percha the plaster acts like a softening salve bandage under rubber paper. The most important plaster tnulls for pediatric purposes are the following: nonirri tating oxide of zinc plaster (as adhesive plaster), ehrysarobin plaster mull (in chronic eczema, psoriasis), mercury plaster mull and mercurial carbolic plaster mull (furunculosis, etc.), pyrogallus plaster mull (lupus), salicylic acid plaster (keratosis) also in conjunction with soap.
The great liability to tear and the dark color of the gutta percha mull have caused Unna to introduce the less destructible and almost flesh-colored "Paraplaste."