4-oS 
PHILLIP HESELTINE. 
ists a cure is apparently out of the question. This, I believe, 
will not be denied even by those who consider eczema as almost 
a constitutional disease produced by some irregularities in the 
function of some organ or viscera, or the result of the general 
condition of many of our stables, and who, as a rule, look to in- 
ternal or constitutional treatment as the most important part of 
therapeutics. It would be but natural under these circumstan¬ 
ces to apply the same method which we see doing good service 
in the hands of the surgeons. I do not doubt this often has been 
done, but in most instances with disappointing results. Due to 
the extreme heavy coat of hair and negligence by the attend¬ 
ance, we find it is impossible to adopt antisepsis by the same 
method as the dermatologists and with equally as satisfactory 
results. While our results may not be equally as satisfactory, we 
can much improve by a more careful observation on the princi¬ 
ples of antisepsis and of the treatment of the past. In the early 
times antiseptic practice was almost indentified with the em¬ 
ployment of carbolic acid. Unfortunately this valuable remedy 
is not very congenial, even to the healthy skin, this is proven 
not only by the common experience that carbolic acid dressing 
after a short time is liable to produce inflammation of the skin 
surrounding the wounds, but by the rather popular use which 
carbolic acid has found against all kinds of lesions and ailments. 
I have found but very few cases where carbolic acid was of any 
benefit in treating diseases of the skin, and I feel convinced that 
I have treated more cases which had been directly aggravated 
by its use. Other drugs have taken the place of carbolic acid in 
the treatment of diseases of the skin and general surgery, 
but almost invariably has the effect been equally disastrous, 
particularly with hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum. Quoting 
the language of H. G. Klotz, M.D., New York, who says it is a 
well known fact that all antiseptic drugs act much more power¬ 
fully in solutions than in combination with oils, grease and other 
constituents of ointments. To introduce antiseptic treatment by 
the use of water, poultices, and various antiseptics in solution 
my experience teaches me that it would be very disagreeable 
