In some degree this activity of certain 

 preparations of iodine can be explained 

 by reference to the chemical properties 

 inherent in iodine as elemental matter, 

 and in its well-known affinity for cer- 

 tain elemental constituents of the tis- 

 sues of the animal organism. 



The foregoing throws some light on 

 the therapeutic accomplishments of io- 

 dine preparations, when topically ap- 

 plied, and, to a certain extent, explains 

 its modus operandi in a physiological 

 sense — an understanding somewhat es- 

 sential from an ethical standpoint. The 

 old theory, which would ascribe to an 

 increase in function of the regional 

 lymphatic glands all the agreeable 

 therapeutic effects of local iodine ap- 

 plications, does not cover enough 

 ground; it is only when we amplify 

 this theory, with the assumption of the 

 considerations aired in the foregoing 

 paragraphs, that we find it possible to 

 14 



