236 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
Used externally as it acts as a counter-irritant, and should not be 
painted on too freely as it may cause blistering. Does good if painted 
over swollen joints or enlarged glands, but should not be applied if the 
skin is broken. Tincture of iodine may be painted on the chest or oyer 
the liver or spleen if there is pain. 
Is very useful in certain diseases of the skin, such as ringworm, kraw 
kraw, and dhobie itch. 
Iodoform powder is a valuable antiseptic, and is used for all kinds 
of sores or wounds, in which it rapidly promotes healing. One part of 
iodoform to eight parts of vaseline makes a good healing ointment. 
Iodoform gauze is one of the most useful of all dressings for the 
traveller. It has an unpleasant smell, but is too valuable to be 
discarded on that account; before being applied to a wound, it may be 
slightly moistened with boiled water or an antiseptic solution, such as 
chinosol, 1 in 2000, or carbolic acid, one in sixty. 
Ipecacuanha .—Dose, expectorant, half to two grains. 
„ emetic, fifteen to thirty grains. 
„ for dysentery, twenty to forty grains or more. 
In small doses, e.g ., a quarter to half a grain, is a stomachic and may 
check vomiting. 
Is much used in dysentery (p. 175). 
By causing free expectoration, it is very useful in bronchitis, and is 
then usually combined with ammonia. 
Is contained in Dover’s powder, and in this form is useful in coughs 
and colds, as it helps to cause sweating. 
Iron .—Iron is much used on account of its tonic and blood-forming 
properties. It is especially useful in anaemia following fevers and other 
exhausting diseases, and it also gives tone to the nervous system. 
Most preparations of iron are astringent in their action, some such as 
the sulphate and perchloride being more so than others; these are, 
therefore, useful in diarrhoea and in bleeding from the gums and 
bowel. Iron by its astringent action may cause constipation, and it may 
be necessary to add a small amount of an aperient, such as Epsom salts, 
to each dose. 
The following preparations are those generally used:— 
Tincture or perchloride of iron , or tincture of steel .—Dose, five to fifteen 
drops in at least an ounce of water. Good blood tonic. Is very astrin- 
