solution used was varied according to the location and con- 

 dition of the eruption. Where tlie skin v/as thin or already 

 "broken, dilute solutioiB (one per cent) were used. In one case, 

 the eruption appeared in the palm of the hand where the skin 

 was so thick that it was necessary to open it hefcre the 

 remedies could reach the poison. The difficulty of getting 

 the remedy in contact with the poison in the skin is the 

 reason T/hy the eruption is hard to cure. 



The remedy most conmonly used for this eruption is an 

 alcoholic solution of lead acetate. This rem.edy is unsatis- 

 f^actory for the reason that its action consists in depositing 

 an unstable lead compound of the poison in the skin where 

 the conditions of moisture and temperature are favorable for 

 its decomposition, liberating the poison vifith all its irritant 

 properties. Moreover, alcoholic preparations should not be 

 used because the alcohol dissolves the poison and on evapora- 

 tion leaves it spread over a larger surface like a varnish. 

 Potassium perm^anganate , howver, oxidizes the poison completely. 

 The only objection to the use of perinanganate of which the 

 writer is aware is that it stains the skin. The stain can 

 be removed by vigorous scrubbing with soap, or it will v/ear off 

 gradually in a few days. It can be rem^oved at once by certain 

 acids, but these should not be used by persons not famaliar 

 with their action. 



With the knov/ledge of the facts mentioned, many solutions 

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