Common name. Ichthyol. A fossil product obtained from a bituminous mineral found in Tyrol, supposed tom be fish deposits. Preparation. Alcoholic tincture.
GENERAL ANALYSIS AND THERAPEUTICS.
The chief action of Ichthyol is upon the skin, mucous membranes, muscular tissues and the kidneys. On the skin it produces pruritus, acne and urticaria; on the mucous membranes it causes irritation, inflammation and ulceration; on the muscular tissues, rheumatic symptoms. On the kidneys, due to the irritant action of the drug, we find increased urination, increased solids and uric acid deposits. Ichthyol seems to act as a uterine stimulant and will probably prove of value in menstrual disturbances. Dr. Dieffenbach reports several cases of dysmenorrhoea as having yielded to the drug. It has been found useful in the uric acid dyscrasia and chronic rheumatism and gout. It has also been used internally in skin diseases, especially chronic urticaria; in haemorrhoids, hay fever, bronchitis, whooping cough, tonsillitis, and gonorrhoea.
Mind. Irritable and depressed.
Head. Dull, aching; better from cold and from pressure.
Eyes. Burn, red; worse from any change of temperature.
Nose. Bland coryza (Euphr.); stuffed feeling (Nux v.); feels sore inside.
Stomach. Disagreeable taste; burning sensation; very thirsty. Nausea. Increased appetite.
Abdomen. Disposition to soft shapeless stools.
Urinary Organs. Increased in quantity and frequency. Increase in solids. Uric acid (Radium.).
Female Organs. Fulness in lower abdomen. Nausea at time of menses.
Respiratory Organs. Coryza; dry, teasing cough. Bronchiectasis and phthisis. Bronchitis, especially of the aged; winter coughs.
Skin. Heat and irritation; itching. Scaly and itching eczema. Crops of boils. Pruritus of pregnancy. Urticaria.
Compare. Hepar, Calcarea, Silica, Sulphur, Arsenicum, Petrol.