A solution of common soda (impure bicarbonate) freely applied will often remove the fetid sweat of the feet, and the odorous emanations which in some subjects escape from the axillary glands. Acne occurring in persons with a greasy skin, and prominent and black sebaceous follicles, may sometimes be cured by alkaline lotions, Rx Liq. potassae, 3 j ; aquae rosae, oz iv. M. Sig. : Apply with a soft sponge twice a day. For acute eczema where there is much serous discharge, no applications are more efficient than solutions of the alkalies. Rx Sodii carbonat., 3 ss; aquae, Oj. M. Sig.: The eruption to be covered with lint soaked in this solution. Stronger solutions can be used in old cases where the skin is much thickened. As alkalies, by absorbing the moisture and combining with the fat of the sebaceous matter, make the skin dry and harsh, it is useful to apply some form of oil after these alkaline applications, certainly after the stronger solutions. Mutton-suet is one of the best fats for this purpose.

In prurigo great relief is often obtained by an alkaline warm bath at bedtime. A solution of carbonate of potassium (3 iij— oz iv) is-recommended by Trousseau as a remedy for that obstinate affection— pruritus vulvae;. In freckles, sunburn, and tan, the following lotion is useful:Rx Potassii carbonat., 3 iij; sodii chloridi, 3 ij; aquae rosae, oz viij; aquae aurantii flor., § ij. M. Sig.: Lotion.

To cleanse the scalp from dandruff (pityriasis), there is no more suitable application than a saturated solution of borate of soda. Powdered borax, mixed with sugar, is a domestic remedy for aphthae of children; it is simply placed on the tongue. A saturated solution of borax in rose-water is a useful application to remove freckles, and to allay pruritus vaginae.

For the cure of corns no application is so certain, prompt, and effective as liquor potassae. It should be applied by means of a glass rod or pine-wood splinter to the summit of the corn, and the tissue softened by it scraped off. By successive applications the callosity is removed without pain or discomfort.

The so-called ingrowing toe-nail may be cured by the application to the irritable granulation, at the margin of the nail, of a solution of liquor potassae ( 3 ij— ozj). This solution is to be applied on cottonwool, to the margin of the nail and to the ulcerated surface of the toe, until the nail is so far softened that it can be cut away without pain.

Unhealthy and sloughing ulcers may be destroyed by potassa fusa, and a healthy granulating surface be left. No more efficient escharotic can be used in hospital gangrene. As it penetrates deeply and widely, great care must be used to limit its application to the affected parts, and, as soon as the destruction is sufficient, to check the further extension of the caustic by washing with a dilute acid. Vienna paste—which is a mixture of equal parts of potassa and lime made into a paste with alcohol—is milder in operation, and therefore usually preferred. Caustic potash was formerly much employed to make issues, to open abscesses and carbuncles, but these applications are now quite obsolete. Induration of the cervix uteri and chronic metritis (hyperplasia of the connective tissue) are, it is said (Dr. Bennet), very effectively treated by application of caustic potassa and potassa cum calce; but such powerful means must be used with great caution, if at all. In carcinoma, when the disease is limited to the neck of the uterus and not too far advanced, caustic potassa may be used with advantage to destroy the diseased surface. This caustic is quite as efficient as any, probably, for the escharotic treatment of cancer when this method of treatment is employed.

A solution of the bichromate of potassium (gr. j grs: x — oz iv) is an excellent local application in the treatment of the catarrhal state of the nasal, buccal, or vaginal mucous membrane. A saturated solution of this salt may be used as a caustic in place of chromic acid.

Carbonate of soda in saturated solution has been used lately with signal success in the treatment of burns: it allays the pain, checks suppuration, and favors healing (McClellan, Pring, etc.). Cloths dipped in a saturated solution, and covered with oiled silk, are kept on the part, the solution being renewed as rapidly as may be necessary. Dr. Duckworth reports that toothache may be quickly allayed by holding a solution of carbonate of soda in the mouth. Recently chlorate of potash has been used with success in the treatment of epithelioma. This practice was first suggested by Vidal in the treatment of chancroid, and has since been successfully employed in the treat ment of obstinate ulcers, epithelioma and cancer (Fereol, Leveque). In the simpler cases a saturated solution may be kept on, but in epithelioma and cancer the powdered chlorate is thickly applied over the sore. It is said to allay pain, remove fetor, and promote cicatrization when so applied. The internal use of the salt is recommended in conjunction with the topical application in cancer, epithelioma, and lupus.

Authorities referred to:

Basham, Dr. W. R. The Practitioner, vol. v, p. 257.

Begbie, Dr. J. Warburton. The Edinburgh Medical Journal, July, 1870, p. 46.

Bell, Dr. Robert. The Lancet, August, 1877, p. 275.

Binz, Dr. C. Archiv fur experiment. Pathologie und Pharmacologic, voI. x, p. 153. Ueber Reduction des chlorsauren Kalis.

Buchheim, Prof. Dr. R. Archiv fur experiment. Pathol, und Pharmacol., Band iii, p. 252. Ueber die Wirkung der Kaliumsalze.

Coghill, Dr. J. G. Sinclair. The Practitioner, vol. xix, p. 247. Therapeutic Notes on the Chloride of Calcium.

Duckworth, Dr. Dyce. The Practitioner, April, 1875, p. 250.

Fuller, Dr. H. W. The Practitioner, vol. ii, p. 129. The Alkaline Method in the Treatment of Rheumatism.

Guttmann, Dr. P. Virchow's Archiv, Band xxxv, p. 450. Wirkung der Kali und Natronsalze.

Hummel, Meinrad. Allg. Wiener med. Zeit., 23-26, 1878. Ueber das Kalium Chlo-ricum.

Isambert, Dr. Gaz. Méd. de Paris, 1874, Nos. 17, 35, 41, and 43. Nouvelles expériences sur l'action physiologique, toxique et thérapeutique du chlorate de potasse.

Kohler, Prof. Dr. H. Centralblatt f. d. med. Wiss., 1877, No. 38, p. 673. Zur Wirkung der Kaliumsalze auf Warmblüter.

Laborde, Dr. J. V. Bull. Gen. de Thérap., 1874, pp. 247, 319, and 354. Étude comparative de l'action physiologique des chlorates de potasse et de soda, etc.

Marchand. Dr. F. Virchow's Archiv, Band lxxvii, p. 455. Ueber die Intoxication durch Chlorsaure Salze.

McClellan, Dr. Ely. Louisville Medical News, 1878. On Relief of Burns by a Saturated Solution of the Carbonate of Soda.

Parkes. On the Urine, p. 158.

Perl, Dr. Leopold. Virchow's Archiv, vol. lxxiv, p. 54. Ueber die Resorption der Kalksalze.

Podcopaew, Dr. Virchow's Archiv, Band xxxiii, p. 505. Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die Wirkung des Chlorkalium und Chlornatrium auf den thierchen Organismus.

Pring, Dr. E. J. Philadelphia Medical Times, March 16, 1878, p. 273. Note on the Use of Bicarbonate of Soda in Burns.

Rabuteau, Dr. Gazette Hebdom., xliii, 1868, p. 617. Recherches sur l'elimination et sur proprietes osmotiques du sulfate de sodium.

Ralfe, Dr. C. Lancet, November, 1878, p. 651. Observations in Urinary Pathology and Therapeutics.

Ringer and Murrell. Journal of Physiology, vol. xii, p. 5. Influence of the Chloride of Potassium on the Nervous System of Frogs.

Schonlein, K. Arch, f d. ges. Physiol., vol. xviii, p. 26. Versuche über einige physi-ologische Wirkungen des Natriumcarbonats.

Valentin, Dr. Zeit. fur Biol, vol. xiv, p. 320. Die Giftwirkungen welche Salzbader auf Frosche ausüben. Virchow u. Hirsch's Jahretbericht.