A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/554 (page 18)
    The mono and tri acids are crystalline solids; the di acid is liquid. They all form salts soluble in water. Chloracetic Acid. Diseases of the S\L\n.—Monochloracetic acid forms an admirable caustic in the treatment of superficial Epitheliomata. It seems to have a selective affinity for the diseased tissues, and its action can be strictly limited. It may be applied with a bit of stick or on a probe armed with cotton. Its action is not deep and it must therefore be applied at fre- quent intervals. It is less suitable than the stronger caustics, particularly caustic potassa, for large and deep growths, but is safer when the disease is close to some important organ, as the eye, when the action of the caustic must needs be circumscribed. Monochloracetic acid likewise forms an excellent caustic for Verruca and Condylomata and for small N.«vi. Diseases of the Ear.—Applied freely to Aural Polypi, chlor- acetic acid constitutes, on the whole, the best means for their destruction. According to W. B. Dalby, if the pain after using the caustic is severe, it subsides immediately after using a syringe full of water. Eight or ten applications may be required; these may be made every day for a time and then less frequently. Dalby insists that treatment should be con- ducted for long periods, and also that assiduous care should be exercised in cleansing the middle ear, no matter what agent is used to destroy the growths. Diseases of the Eye.—Monochloracetic acid is a valuable caustic in the treatment of Epitheliomatous Ulcers of the eyelids in cases in which excision is, for any reason, impracticable. It should be used in saturated solution (deliquesced crystals), and may be applied, by means of a pledget of absorbent cotton on the end of a small probe, to the whole surface of a small ulceration or about the margin of a more extensive one. It produces little reaction, and the application is usually almost painless. Repeated applications may be necessary but are easily borne. In several discouraging cases, cicatrization has been produced which has remained- quite firm for many months. Trichloracetic Acid. Trichloracetic acid was introduced into medicine by Stein (Wiener Med. Blatter, March 20, 1890). It is used as a caustic and stimulant. Diseases of the Skin.—Lanz (^Monatsch. f. P. Derm., Oct. i, 1891) states that trichloracetic acid is one of the best applications for Verruca, especially in infants and young children. It causes little or no pain, and the wart often dries up and drops off after a single application. N^vi, both Vascular and Pigmentary, may be removed by trichloracetic acid.