A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    FERRI CHLORIDU]\J. ^33 Of water It is gently thrown up to the fundus of the uterus from the noz'e of a Davidson or fountan. syringe. Care should be taken to remove blood clots * In the absence of a syringe a sponge saturated with the mixture tied to the end of a stick or piece of whalebone may be gently wiped around the inside of the uterus. Chloride of iron may also be used with great advantage to control Hemorrhage from Uterine Can- cer, Uterine Polypi, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to tampon the vagina with strips of lint previously soaked in a solution of the chlo- ride In doing this, it is well to saturate only the first two or three pieces and for the remainder to use dry lint; otherwise, on removal a hard, unyielding mass will be found obstructing the vagma and often adherent to the vagina walls. One objection to the use of the chloride of iron as a topical application in uterine diseases is, that unless very much diluted it excoriates the mucous membrane of the vagina. To obviate this, Baum adds four grains of carbonate of sodium to the ounce of the chloride. Sodium chloride is formed, and according to Baum, the hemostatic action of the iron is intensified rather than diminished by the neutralizing effect on the soda. The tincture of the chloride of iron has been regarded by many as a specific for Erysipelas ; and this has led to its being used locally in the treatment of this affection by painting the surface of the skin over and around the inflamed area. We question, from our experience, if any benefit is to be derived from this mode of treatment, as its action appears to be entirely negative. If desired, it can readily be applied by means of a camel's hair brush or a small cotton swab. For the removal of Seat Worms from the rectum, an enema con- taining a half drachm to a pint of water is very efficient. The tincture of the chloride of iron has been used with some success in the treatment of Cystic Goitre, 10-20 m. being injected from a hypodermic syringe every three or four days. Hemorrhoidal Tumors are often injected with a few drops of the tincture of the chloride of iron from a hypoder- mic syringe after the method of Mr. Colles. This mode of procedure is not applicable to all varieties of piles, and is best suited to small, single, pedunculated projections just beyond the verge of the anus. Diseases of the Skin.—The chloride of iron is ordinarily employed in the form of tincture of the chloride (U. S. P.) for the destruction of Warts (Verruca), particularly venereal warts or Condylomata. In Onychia the tincture brushed on several times a day is found of benefit. The following formula has been highly recommended as an external * The modern aseptic methods of arresting uterine hemorrhage are superior to those here commended. Nevertheless, in an emergency it is well to remember the efficacy of chloride of iron.