x 
; 
‘ 
ON COLT.OTD CHEMISTRY AND ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, 165 
and the discolouration of the skin ; instead of producing irritation 
it has, indeed, a distinctly soothing effect. It rapidly subdues 
inflammation and promotes the healing of lesions. He has had 
remarkable results in enlarged prostate with irritation of the bladder, 
in pruritis ani and perineal eczema, and in hemorrhoids. It can be 
used in the form of suppositories while a solution is applied to the 
irritated skin. In bromidrosis in the axille and feet it! quickly 
gives relief. It causes arapid disappearance of warts. Being non- 
toxic, it can be given internally in urticaria and other forms of 
dermatitis which are suggestive of toxemia. In such cases it is 
quickly beneficial. 
In ophthalmology, colloid silver has now largely replaced silver 
nitrate as its use is free from pain and its action more direct. 
J. Mark Howell has found colloidal silver beneficial for perma- 
nently! restoring the potency of the Kustachian tubes and for 
reducing nasopharyngeal catarrh. 
Colloidal silver has also been used successfully in septic con- 
ditions of the mouth (including pyorrhca alveolaris—Rigg’s disease), 
throat (including tonsilitis and quinsies), ear (including Meniere’s 
symptoms and closure to Valsava’s inflation). and in generalized 
septicemia, leucorrhoea, cystitis, whooping cough, and shingles. 
Tests made at King’s College show that colloidal silver has an_inhibi- 
tive effect on bacteria equivalent to mercuric chloride, but is non- 
toxic, non-irritant and harmless to the host.*® 
A preparation of colloidal silver which is opaque to X-rays has 
proved invaluable in certain diagnoses. 
Colloidal mercury. The curiously different action of mercury 
salts according as they are given in small or large doses and in a 
readily or difficult soluble form have long puzzled pharmacologists 
It has been generally understood that their action is antiseptic and 
bactericidal, but according to some of the best known authorities, the 
chief action of mercury is to increase the natural resistance of the 
body to disease. The chief disadvantage of the less soluble mercury 
salts, such as calomel, is their delayed and irregular absorption, with 
subsequent undesirable results. The soluble mercury salts, on the 
contrary, are dangerous on account of their high toxicity. With 
colloidal mercury, the diffusion is extremely rapid and chemical 
affinity low. Hence the toxicity of colloidal mercury (1—2,000) is 
so low that doses of two teaspoonfuls may be taken twice daily or 
intravenous injections of 30 c.c. may be given with impunity. 
Colloidal mercury has cured persistently relapsing malaria in a 
few days.”° 
Some of the colloidal preparations of mercury on the market are 
not suitable for oral administration, but must be injected intramuscu- 
larly. Colloidal mercury is chiefly used in syphilis. 
Colloidal iron, according to Lyn Dimond, killed within six 
minutes, such organisms as bacillus typhosus, bacillus coli 
communis and various pyogenic cocci. The solutions seem to have 
18 Brit, Med. Journ., May 12, 1917. 
19 Brit. Med. Jowrn., Dec. 15, 1917. 
190 Tapoet (1914), p 
20 G@. Cremonese, Garr. d. osp, (1918) 39, 427. 
20895 G 
