Manual of Venereal Diseases (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ...these advantages, however, must be set certain disadvantages. Absorption is slow, as shown by the time taken before mercury appears in the urine. It is a mild form of treatment and in the severe cases contracted in the tropics it rarely exerts a beneficial effect. In order to obtain a cure the administration must be continued for much longer periods without any intermission, as the effect of the drug is soon exhausted. There is considerable risk of setting up gastro--intestinal irritation, especially if large doses are employed; if this happens, treatment must either be stopped for a time or some other drug such as opium, which is not necessary for the cure of the disease, must be added to the prescription. Again, in army practice it is most diflicult to ensure that the medicine is regularly taken; this is, indeed, the greatest objection to this plan. (For Formulae and Scheme see Appendix III.) Inuncti0n.--When properly carried out treat ment by inunction is one of the best ways of curing syphilis, but if patients are allowed to use their own discretion as to dosage, duration of rubbing, etc., the results, as might be expected, are very unsatis-factory. An important point is to have a clean, soft skin. At Aachen, the great centre for inunction, natural sulphur water baths are used. Where natural waters are not obtainable, an ordinary hot bath is quite sufficient for the purpose. A very fair sulphur bath may be prepared by adding 1 to 2 ounces of the liquor calcis sulphurata to the ordinary full bath. When facilities for hot-baths are wanting the directions given below as to washing must be carried out, if not, a sharp attack of dermatitis is almost sure to follow. When out--patients are treated by this method, each man must set apart two...