532 
Combating Lousiness 
Ref. 
No. 
itching, a variety of rashes, frequently a scarlatinoid eruption, and 
eczema, is well known. Neisser (1896), however, attributed many 
of the so-called mercurial eczemas to inferior ointments containing 
turpentine, fatty acids, nitro-benzol, etc. 1 Dubreuilh and Beille, 
Renault, and others state what has long been known in practice, 
that these injurious effects can be partly obviated by soaping and 
washing off the treated parts 1-2 hrs after each application of 
mercurial ointment. Blue ointment constitutes at best a filthy 
method of treatment and the ointment should certainly not be 
smeared on clothing. The ointments described under Nos. 409, 420, 
421 are in any case preferable because less liable to affect the skin. 
Expt 94: blue ointment and soft paraffin (1 : 1) applied to a man’s 
skin overnight did not prevent living corporis from being found on 
his person next morning. Blue ointment smeared on tapes worn 
about different parts of the body and limbs exerted no effect on the 
lice in 2 hrs. 
409. Mercury, ammoniated. Unguentum ammoniati (ammoniated mer¬ 
cury ointment or “white precipitate ointment”), Brit. 
PJiarm., consists of powdered ammoniated mercury 5 g., ben- 
zoated lard 95 g. 2 It is used for capitis, corporis and pubis. 
Apart from its more attractive appearances it is stated to be less 
irritating to the skin than blue ointment. For capitis it is applied 
to the head like blue ointment but should also be used sparingly 
if at all (Morris, Fasal). It is frequently used for pubis. Some time 
ago I treated a case of severe infestation of the axilla accompanied 
by eczema; the hair and crusts were partially removed and the 
ointment applied; a prompt cure followed. For corporis infesting 
typhus cases and patients that could not be shaved, Brauer 
employed several inunctions with benefit. 
Expt 27: nits immersed in ointment were killed in 24 hrs. 
410. A powder consisting of Hg. ammoniati 1 oz., Zinci oxidi \ oz., 
Magnesii silicatis \ oz. is recommended for corporis as having been 
found efficient in practice, not being greasy and the silicate forming 
a good vehicle. The mercury is slowly ionized and the zinc oxide 
inhibits absorption, being astringent and dehydrating. It has been 
applied with the best results to “suppurating wounds infested with 
vermin,” there having been no absorption or dermatitis (Moore). 
1 Montgomery, D. W. (1896), Eruptions from mercury, Med. News, 21 Nov., repr. 
2 See footnote to No. 463. 
