ICHTHYOL 463 



but similar preparations are made by the combination of sulphonic acid with 

 sodium, lithium and zinc. 



Properties. — A thiclt, dark, reddish-brown liquid, of a tarry consistency, and 

 possessing a peculiar, disagreeable odor and hot, bituminous taste. It is soluble 

 in water, glycerin, alcohol, benzol, fats and fixed oils. 



Uonstituents.—Ichthyol contains about 15 per cent, of sulphur; also an in- 

 separable volatile oil, to which its disagreeable odor is due. 



Action and Uses. — Ichthyol is one of the most widely used drugs 

 recently introduced into medicine. It is employed in the treatment of 

 acute and chronic diseases of the skin and subadjacent tissues, accom- 

 panied with inflammation, pain, swelling, and induration; also in 'jpi- 

 dermal proliferation. Ichthyol is supposed to readily permeate the skin, 

 and there act to relieve inflammation and pain, and aid resolution. It is 

 one of the most commonly prescribed remedies in chronic eczema and 

 urticaria ; in erysipelas, muscular and articular rheumatic disorders ; and 

 in bruised and strained muscles, tendons and ligaments. The drug is 

 commonly used in the treatment of frost bites, burns, and in causing 

 absorption of lymphatic enlargements. Ichthyol is recommended as a 

 cure for sarcoptic mange and scab. The drug is somewhat antiseptic, 

 and is a stimulant, anodyne and resolvent to the skin, locally. Ichthyol 

 is most satisfactorily applied to the unbroken skin in 25 to 50 per cent, 

 ointment, with lanolin or lard. Solutions in water, glycerin, oils or al- 

 cohol, are sometimes employed of various strengths. Ichthyol is rarely 

 given internally for chronic rheumatism. 



Thiol is a substitute for ichthyol, lacking the unpleasant odor of the 

 latter medicament. Thiol is derived from brown-colored paraffin or gas- 

 oils, by a complicated process, and consists of a mixture of sulphureted 

 hydrocarbons. The drug exists in two forms: 1, thiolum liquidum, a 

 thin, brownish-black liquid, soluble in water and glycerin; 2, thiolum 

 siccum, occurring in lustrous scales. Thiol is cheaper than ichthyol and 

 is said to be as efficacious as the latter. This remains to be proved. 

 Liquid thiol is employed in 10 per cent, aqueous solution or in ointment; 

 and thiolum siccum in powder, dusted on inflamed parts, as in acute 

 moist eczema. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



