» 
168 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1918. 
organisms are very greatly influenced by its action and the effect of 
a subsequently administered remedy is greatly increased. 
Colloidal iodine is also indicated in syphilis by prior injection, 
and also by internal administration, and in cancer by intravenous 
injection. 
In rheumatism, a piece of flannel soaked in colloidal iodine, 
attached to the positive pole of a battery and applied as near as 
possible to the affected area has been successful. It has also been 
used beneficially as a spray in bronchial and nasal catarrh and 
internally in recovery from alcoholism. 
Colloidal iodine oil (3 per cent.) is very useful for eczema and 
other forms of affections and abnormal conditions of the skin. On 
application, the iodine particles penetrate the pores of the skin with- 
out staining the epidermis, the latter being kept supple and soft by 
the hydrocarbon oil in which the colloidal iodine is exhibited and 
stabilised. Thus, the staining and hardening effecis of alcoholic 
and other solutions of iodine are avoided. 
In some cases” of bad chilblains, colloidal iodine oil was rubbed 
in four times a day; every trace of the condition disappeared in 
four days. Equally valuable is this colloid in severe cases of trench 
feet with ulceration and in the many cases of Charcot’s bedsores which 
are so troublesome a complication of spinal injuries in military hos- 
pitals. In the earlier inflammatory stages of lupus erythematosus, 
before atrophy has supervened, it is far more suitable than the 
ordinary form of the drug because of the absenee of irritation. Simi- 
larly, it is to be preferred for internal administration in the later stage 
of ‘syphilis, because there need be no fear of iodism. Parasitic affec- 
tions, again, show astriking amenability to this remedy. In a case of 
dhobie’s itch (in which the disease had spread from the groin and 
invaded the trunk, legs and arms) under the quite painless application 
of collcidal iodine oil, the extensive lesions all cleared up in three 
weeks ; with ordinary remedies the case would undoubtedly have been 
more protracted, and the treatment would inevitably have put the 
patient to a good deal of pain. 
Colloidal sulphur (1 per cent.) has proved invaluable in cages 
where there is a deficiency of this element in the system. The value 
of sulphur has long been known, but the forms in which it is usually 
administered are crude. It has been necessary to employ excessively 
large doses of an insoluble form of sulphur or to administer “ Harro- 
gate water” or some equivalent and unpleasant preparation of 
hydrogen sulphide. There is little doubt that an insufficient amount 
of available sulphur in the system impairs the action of the liver, with 
consequent production of intestinal poisoning (constipation, headache, 
arthritis, etc.). 
Colloidal sulphur is extremely active, readily combines with 
protein and is entirely absorbed in the stomach. The products of this 
combination are rapidly taken into cireulation and those parts of the 
organism for which sulphur is necessary are thussupplied. Ordinary. 
sulphur is not absorbed in the stomach at all, and passes practically. 
unchanged into the intestines. 
*® Sir Malcolm Morris, Brit. Med. Journ., May 12, 1917. 
