The tincture of iodine is in universal use as a counter-irritant. It is applied by means of a camel's-hair brush to goitre, to enlarged glands, and to superficial inflammatory swellings before the formation of pus. Painted over the neck, it is a useful counter-irritant in acute affections of the pharynx and larynx, and to the chest to relieve the chest-pains which occur in phthisis. It is the most serviceable counter-irritant to promote absorption of inflammatory products in catarrhal and fibrinous pneumonia after the acuter symptoms have subsided. The same application appears to possess the power to promote the absorption of pleuritic effusion. It is a good plan in these affections to paint, on successive days, the tincture over the front, the lateral, and the posterior wall of the chest, so that one surface has time to recover from the irritation before it is again attacked. As the susceptibility to the action of the iodine varies in different subjects, it is always prudent to make a slight application in the beginning. If extreme burning follow the applications, the iodine may be dissolved off by a solution of iodide of potassium, by alcohol, or ether.

The tincture and the ointments of iodine are also used to remove the induration of the breasts which results from attacks of inflammation. It must be remembered that the integument in this situation is extremely sensitive to irritating applications. Splenic and hepatic disorders of a chronic kind are frequently treated locally by the application of tincture and ointment of iodine. Enlarged spleen of malarial origin is more speedily cured by the application of the official red iodide-of-mercury ointment, and, as regards hepatic disorders, the only affection which has seemed to the author to be benefited by iodine applications is the engorgement due to malarial attacks.

After the acute symptoms have subsided, tincture of iodine will remove the swelling of orchitis. The scrotum, like the female breast, is very sensitive to the irritation of iodine tincture and ointments. Bubo, like the enlarged lymphatic glands in other situations, may be treated by the application of iodine-tincture, but it is not very effective.

Although Hebra does not approve of the internal use of iodine in cutaneous diseases, he advises the local application. He employs the tincture or glycerine solution in chloasma, lentigo, and lupus. The tincture of iodine is used to prevent the pitting of small-pox. According to Piringer, it should be applied as follows: If on the first day of the eruption, the whole face, including the eyelids, is brushed over with the tincture of iodine ten times, there being an interval of a half-hour between each application; if on the second day, twelve applications; if on the third day, twelve to sixteen applications. The tincture of iodine is sometimes painted over the affected surface in erysipelas, and over the surrounding healthy integument, to prevent the spread of the disease, but, according to the author's experience, it is bad practice.

Iodoform may be substituted for iodine in the form of the official ointment. This may be used locally, rubbed in, as the iodine-ointments are, for the relief of local inflammatory swellings, enlarged lymphatic glands, goitre, etc. The strong, diffusive, and peculiar odor of iodoform is an objection to its use in this way. Iodoform powdered and dusted over the diseased surface is an excellent application to sloughing and ill-continued wounds, irritable ulcers, rodent ulcer, chancroid, sloughing phagedena, and serpiginous syphilitic ulcers. It allays pain, changes the morbid action, and is antiseptic. Syphilitic ulcers of the tonsils, pharynx, and tongue, are most effectually treated by local and direct application of powdered iodoform. In these cases the powder may be blown on to the surface of the ulcer by an insufflator or insufflation-tube. Fissures of the anus, haemorrhoids and ulcers of the rectum, are improved in condition, and the pain which attends them relieved by application of the ointment of iodoform and by iodoform suppositories. The latter are also of undoubted service in chronic metritis and hypertrophy of the prostate when introduced into the rectum; the iodoform diffuses into the neighboring organs, and acts directly upon them. The pain of cancer may be somewhat relieved, and the fetid odor which attends the discharges may be removed, by the application of iodoform to the diseased surface. This treatment may be applied to cancer in any situation, but is especially applicable to cancer of the uterus and rectum.

The parenchymatous injection of tincture of iodine is a remedial means of great importance. The method of employing it is exceedingly simple. An ordinary hypodermatic syringe (glass or hard rubber) is charged with five to fifteen minims or more of the tincture, and the needle is thrust deeply into the affected tissue, and the iodine is slowly discharged. For injection into parts very deeply situated, long needles, such as are made for aspiration, can be used. This method of treatment is very effective in hypertrophied tonsils, goitre, glandular tumors, and the compound cystic and glandular growths so frequently found in the neck. The author has witnessed the cure of many cases of this kind by the parenchymatous injection of tincture of iodine. Some precautions must be attended to in practicing these injections. "When the point of the needle is inserted as deeply as desired, it should be moved about to disengage it from any vessels into which it may have penetrated. Recent observations (1887) by Terrillon and Sébileau have fully confirmed the opinion expressed above as to the value of iodine injections in the simple and fibroid goitre, and they express a decided preference for iodine tincture over the ethereal solution of iodoform, recently recommended.

When hydrothorax returns after evacuation of the cavity by the trocar, the compound solution of iodine or the tincture may be injected into the pleural sac. In empyema, the undiluted tincture of iodine may be thrown in without risk, and with great benefit. Ordinarily, a solution of the following strength may be used to wash out the cavity in cases of empyema : Rx Liq. iodi comp., oz j ; aquae, oz xv. M.

Hydatids of the liver may easily be destroyed by injecting into them a few drops of tincture of iodine. It has, however, been shown that in some instances simple capillary puncture and withdrawal of the fluid suffice to arrest the growth and to abort these parasites. Injection of tincture of iodine is one of the means resorted to to cure hydrocele.

It is said that hypertrophied prostate may be diminished and further enlargement prevented by parenchymatous injection of iodine. In the performance of this operation a Sims or bivalve rectal speculum is inserted, and the needle of the syringe is passed through the walls of the rectum into the gland. Careful palpation previous to the insertion of the needle will enable the operator to avoid important vessels.

Unilocular ovarian cysts may sometimes be cured by injecting into them, after the withdrawal of the fluid, ten to sixteen ounces of tincture of iodine. No other form of ovarian cyst will, however, be affected favorably by this expedient.

Large abscesses may be made to close much more speedily than they would otherwise, and septic infection be prevented, by the injection of iodine-tincture after the evacuation of the matter.

Numerous cases of spina bifida have been cured by the injection into the sac of tincture of iodine (3 ss), or a solution of iodine (gr.ss) and iodide of potassium (gr. v) in water ( 3 j ).