Dermatology

s of some of the articles of general interest from the first volume :? Unguentum Terebinthiisle Compositum. Oil of turpentine has never come to be generally used in dermatology owing to its great liability to irritate the skin. For several years past Scharff has employed oil of turpentine and its oxidation product, terebinthina (Canada balsam), in the treatment of skin diseases. He uses a paste of the following composition :?R Acid, salicylici 10 pts., ol. terebinthina} 10-20 pts., sulph. prrecip. and terebinthinse aa 100 pts. This gives a paste which can be easily spread on the skin. Scharff says that the combination of the sulphur and the two turpentines produces a mixture which has all the properties of the turpentines without having any of their irritating effects. He uses this preparation in. all follicular inflammations. In cases of widespread staphylococcal folliculitis of the limbs, where each hair follicle is the seat of a pustule, he spreads the ointment over the affected part and covers it with a muslin bandage. Three days later the bandage is removed and the area cleaned up with an antiseptic lotion. The pustules are opened with a fine-pointed cautery to allow of better penetration of the ointment, which is again applied as before. This treatment is continued for two weeks and then a sulphur zinc paste is used to complete the healing. A more rapid result can be obtained by putting a layer of some impermeable substance, e.g. gutta-percha tissue, on the top of the ointment. In stubborn folliculitis and furunculosis on the back of the neck Scharff has obtained a cure in a few days by the use of this ung. terebinth, co. He has also found it good in senile warts. In hyperkeratoses and infiltrated eczemas he uses it as a preliminary treatment to soften the tissues before applying other remedies. In pityriasis versicolor he rubs it well into the parts and then applies powder on the top. One or two applications are sufficient to produce a cure. This method of application does away with the necessity of applying bandages. Similarly it can be used for the treatment of acne, but in one such case a dermatitis of the face was produced. Scharff also uses the oil of turpentine in various ointments, because by adding about 10 per cent. ol. terebinthince to an ung. chrysarobini or ung. pyrogall., etc., the ointment is more easily spread on the skin, and much smaller quantities are necessary than when ordinary oily vehicles are used. The Abortive Treatment of Syphilis. Owing to the dangers which exist with the use of atoxyl and arsacetine, Hallopeau has given up using these substances in the treatment of syphilis, and employs hectine instead. Hectine?or to