126  Current  Literature.  {AtJr°Zy^lt 
the  lymphocytes  have  been  reduced  to  the  normal  figure.  In  others 
the  number  of  leucocytes  has  still  remained  high,  although  the  size 
of  the  spleen  was  reduced.  In  many  cases  the  improvement  is  such 
that  an  apparent  cure  is  produced.  However,  a  large  number,  if 
not  all,  of  these  patients  relapse  or  succumb  to  the  toxic  action  of 
the  benzene.  It  is  recommended  to  stop  the  administration  of  this 
drug  before  the  leucocytes  are  reduced  to  the  normal  level.  Ben- 
zene has  also  been  used  in  a  few  cases  of  Hodgkin's  disease  and  in 
cases  of  polycythemia.  The  effect  of  benzene  on  the  leucocytes  is 
largely  enhanced  by  the  previous  or  simultaneous  treatment  by  the 
x-ray.  The  value  of  benzene  in  leukaemia  is  not  established,  and 
caution  against  too  large  and  too  long  continued  dosage  should 
govern  its  employment. 
"Dosage. — 0.5  to  1  Cc.  (8  to  15  minims)  given  four  times  a  day. 
Medicinal  benzene  may  be  given  in  capsules  or  in  an  emulsion,  or 
may  be  administered  by  rectum.  Frequent  examinations  of  the 
blood  should  be  made  during  the  administration  of  medicinal  ben- 
zene to  determine  when  it  is  advisable  to  suspend  the  administra- 
tion of  the  medicine."    (The  Prescribe^  August,  1918.) 
"  X.  Y.  Z."  Paste. — Under  this  name  the  following  paste  is 
recommended  by  A.  E.  Morison  (B.  M.  J.,  1918,  1,  343,  Mar.  23) 
as  an  alternative  to  "bipp"  in  the  treatment  of  certain  classes  of 
wounds : 
Xeroform  (bismuth  t'ribromphenol) . 
Ammoniated  mercury   Equal  parts 
Liquid  paraffin   Sufficient  to  make  paste. 
(The  Prescriber,  August,  1918.) 
Magnesium  Sulphate  Solution. — The  following  is  the  solu- 
tion recommended  by  Morison  and  Tulloch  for  wound  treatment : 
Magnesium  sulphate    40  ounces. 
Glycerin    10  ounces. 
Water,  boiling   to  make  80  fluid  ounces. 
Magnesium  Sulphate  Cream. — 
Magnesium  sulphate    1^2  lbs. 
Glycerin  of  carbolic  acid  (1 :  10)   n  ounces. 
Mix  by  trituration  in  a  warm  mortar.  This  cream  is  very  hygro- 
scopic, and  must  be  preserved  in  covered  jars. — Morison  (B.  M.  J., 
1918,  1,  342,  Mar.  23).    (The  Prescriber,  August,  1918.) 
