SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES 145 



ment of eczema differs with the form, degree and age of the dis- 

 ease. Chronic eczema especially requires treatment essentially 

 different from the acute. In the one case a stimulant, sometimes 

 even caustic, treatment is necessary (tar in chronic eczema), while 

 in the other protective remedies are indicated (protective and indif- 

 ferent medicines in acute eczema). Again, other cases require the 

 application of desiccants (silver nitrate, zinc oxide, tannin), emol- 

 lients (fats, soaps, glycerin), and anodynes (narcotics). In addi- 

 tion, the mechanical remedies (rubbing, massage) and hydro- 

 therapy (baths, poultices) are also employed. 



Drugs. — 1. Pix liquida. Tar. The best remedy in chronic 

 eczema; contraindicated in acute eczema; used in the form of tar 

 spirits,^ tar salve- and tar liniment.^ *Creoliii acts the same as 

 tar. Modern substitutes for tar are: *ichthyol, *thiol, *tumenol, 

 *thigenol, *lithyol, pyrogallol, *antlirasol, *anthrarobin, *empyro- 

 form, *lenigallol and petrosulphol. 



2. Zinci oxidum. Zinc oxide. A good protective and desiccant 

 in acute eczema; used in powder, ointment [unguentum zinci 

 oxidi], paste and gelatin. Plumbi oxidum, acidum tannicum, 

 *tannoform, bismuthi subgallas, amylum, sevum praeparatum 

 (prepared suet), kaolinum and calcii carbonas praecipitatus have 

 the same action. 



3. Argenti nitras. Silver nitrate. The best desiccant, pro- 

 tective and disinfectant in acute moist eczemas; used in ointment 

 or in solution in water or alcohol (5 to 10 per cent.). 



4. Soaps. Sapo mollis (alkaline) is used as a stimulant in 

 chronic eczema alone or in combination with tar; contraindicated 

 in acute eczema. *Potassa sulphurata (liver of sulphur) has the 

 same action, but is more powerful. The neutral soaps have a 

 cleansing and softening action. 



5. Glycerinum. Glycerin. An emollient in squamous and 

 crustaceous eczemas; contraindicated in acute eczemas (stimulant 

 action). Iodine and glycerin combined have a desiccant action. 



[1 Pix liquida 3i, alcohol 5x. 

 ' Pix liquida oi) adeps 3x. 

 ' Pix liquida, sapo mollis, aa 5iv: alcohol %i].] 

 10 



