OF THE HUMAN SKIN. 25 



of such medicines are irritating to the skin, their 

 indiscriminate use is likely to do much harm. 



Sulphur can be used as vapor baths or fumiga- 

 tions, but equally as well in the common sulphur 

 ointment of the Pharmacopoeia. Its smell pre- 

 vents its use by those who object to it, and other 

 things do equally well. Mercury can be used as 

 the common mercurial ointment, or two or three 

 grains of the bichloride of mercury can be dis- 

 solved in an ounce of water, and a few drops of 

 alcohol added, to assist solution. When applied 

 to the skin in this way the danger of salivation 

 amounts to nothing. Seeds of stavesacre can be 

 used as ointment, one part to four of lard, or an 

 infusion of them in vinegar. Sabadilla seeds can 

 be used as a powder when ground up, or as an 

 ointment, one part to eight of lard. A few drops 

 of the essential oils, as oil of cinnamon or rose- 

 mary added to these ointments, disguise or im- 

 prove the odor. The root of the pyre thrum or 

 pellitory is generally used in powder. Some of 

 the strong essential oils are also serviceable. 



We thus see that there are a variety of sub- 

 stances we can employ, some one of which is 

 always within every one's reach. To get rid of 



