682 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



lotion ; while in the chronic, the crude acid may he applied, for one 

 dressing, undiluted. In this form it stimulates the skin to healthy 

 action ; but when applied after the first time, it must be diluted 

 with oil or glycerine, one to twenty parts, or inflammation and 

 sloughing will be induced. As primary applications, even in 

 the treatment of chronic grease, poultices are very useful ; they 

 clean the parts, soften and remove scabs, and allay the inflam- 

 mation of the skin ; boiled turnips are best, and they may con- 

 tain yeast, charcoal, carbolic acid, or the hypo-sulphite of soda, 

 as deodorisers. 



In chronic grease, after the bowels have been well opened by 

 a cathartic, arsenic and diuretics are to be prescribed until the 

 anasarcous swellings disappear ; and should there be a disposi- 

 tion to a return of the disease, the arsenic is to be continued, and 

 combined with tonics. 



When it is deemed necessary to change the arsenic for 

 another remedy, the sulphates of ii'on and copper may be sub- 

 stituted. 



Chronic eczema, when expressed by an eruption other than 

 that of grease, requires a speciality of treatment applicable to 

 itself. 



1st. The crusts and scabs, after being soaked with oil for a few 

 hours, are to be removed by washing ; if the hair is long it must 

 be clipped, and this applies to the greasy as well as to the other 

 forms of eczema. When the hair is removed and the parts 

 thoroughly cleaned, a sufficiency of the following may be apphed, 

 not only to the diseased, but to a good deal of healthy skin ; 

 remembering that whatever the remedy may be, much depends 

 upon its effectual aj)plication : — 



IjL Sulphur sublimata, . . . K^'iii. 



Potass carbonatis, . . . . | iv. 



Acid carbolicum, . . . . |i. 



Adipis, ^^.Kxxii. 



Oh Olivie, gxxxii. 



This is to be left on the skin for two or three days, and then 

 washed off with soft soap and warm water. It acts as a 

 cutaneous stimulant. 



The other remedies available in chronic eczema are lime 

 water, bichloride of mercury in weak solution, tar ointment, 



