330 
DISCOLORATION OF THE SKIN 
tion of hydriodate^of potash, its color, even when exposed to 
the strongest sunshine, remained unaltered. It was evident? 
in this process, that the hydriodate and the nitrate were both 
decomposed, and that an ioduret of silver was the result. It 
then remained to be determined whether, in contact with ani- 
mal matter or medicinally administered in combination with 
chemical agents, it would retain that power. 
To ascertain this point various experiments were exe- 
cuted ; — the ioduret was mixed with different animal and ve- 
getable substances, and submitted to the action of different 
chemical agents, and then exposed to the action of the sun, 
without, however, producing the least change of color. 
Having thus satisfied himself as to the chemical habitudes 
of the ioduret, Dr. Patterson's next endeavors were directed 
to ascertain its therapeutic effects. The first and principal 
class of diseases in which opportunities were afforded of ad- 
ministering it, were those various stomach affections to which 
the Irish peasantry are so very liable, and in which the in- 
ternal use of nitrate of silver has been found to be most ge- 
nerally successful. They, therefore, afford the best cri- 
terion whereby to judge of the comparative efficacy of the 
ioduret. 
In such, a number of which Dr. Patterson relates, it proved 
almost uniformly beneficial. In epilepsy the result was not 
so satisfactory; but as the medicine was only administered in 
two cases, it has not had a fair trial in that disease. In hoop- 
ing-cough it had variable success, but where that complaint 
was uncomplicated with fever or bronchitis, the ioduret ap- 
peared to produce an immediate improvement in the spasms, 
and hastened the final abatement of the cough. Sufficient 
time, however, has not yet been afforded, to allow of any de- 
finite conclusion to be come to on the subject. 
Removal of Discoloration of the Skin. 
Dr. Patterson considers that "there can scarcely be a doubt 
