ACTIONS AND USES 427 



irritates abraded skin and mucous surfaces. It is a more 

 effectual local anaesthetic than chloroform or bromoform, 

 inasmuch as it is neither so irritant nor so volatile. It is 

 slowly absorbed, forms iodides and iodates, and produces 

 many of the effects of iodine ; but when swallowed in large 

 doses it is more lethal, and it appears probable that some 

 iodoform is absorbed unchanged for the toxic effects are not 

 those of iodides. In dogs and cats it induces gastric 

 derangement, vomiting, and muscular spasms, and then 

 lowered temperature, impaired heart action, albuminuria, 

 and narcosis, preceded by lessened excitability of the cord 

 and motor areas of the brain ; but in rabbits narcosis is not 

 produced. In man the most characteristic effects of iodo- 

 form poisoning are violent delirium and mania, much more 

 rarely deep sleep and stupor without excitement. Frohner 

 records that for each kilogramme of body-weight dogs are 

 poisoned by fifteen grains given by the mouth, twenty to 

 thirty grains given subcutaneously, or seven grains injected 

 into a serous cavity. An old cow which received an ounce 

 and a half died in thirty-six hours, with spasms and narcosis. 

 Chronic poisoning induces emaciation and fatty degeneration 

 of muscles and glands. Iodoform is slowly excreted in the 

 urine chiefly as sodium iodide. 



It is rarely prescribed internally. Its chief use is as an 

 antiseptic dressing for unhealthy wounds, being especially 

 useful when dressings cannot be conveniently changed, or 

 where they cannot be properly applied, as in wounds of the 

 rectum, bladder, and generative organs. It is used in burns, 

 eczema, canker in horses' feet, and fistulse. Small doses 

 maintain wounds in an aseptic state, promote granulation, 

 and allay irritation. Wounds, after cleansing with carbolic 

 or zinc chloride solution, are dusted with the powder, used 

 alone or mixed with boric acid, and covered with iodoform 

 or carbolic gauze, or moistened with an ethereal or oily 

 solution. Oil of eucalyptus, and balsam of Peru or Tolu, 

 are convenient solvents, which also cover the disagreeable 

 smell and taste. As a parasiticide it is used for the same 

 cases as iodine. Ethereal solutions are injected in ozaena 

 and ulcerated sore-throat. Pencils made with 50 to 70 per 

 cent, of iodoform, mixed with starch and gum, are used in 



