Iodide of Arsenic. Preparation. Trituration.
THERAPEUTICS.
Our knowledge of the action of this drug is derived chiefly from clinical sources. It has been found especially useful in the treatment of catarrhal diseases in scrofulous subjects, where many arsenic symptoms are present, together with enlarged lymphatic glands. Nasal catarrh. Hay fever. Ophthalmia. Otitis. Catarrhal inflammation of the nose, throat and ears, with swelling and stoppage of Eustachian tube. Diphtheria. Leucorrhoea. Mammary abscess. Mammary tumors, with ulcerated nipples sensitive to touch and painful. Enlarged spleen, after intermittent fever treated with quinine. Tabes mesenterica; cholera infantum.
The clinical use of this drug in chest diseases is admirably summed up by Dr. Allen (Handbook of Materia Medica, p. 133) as follows: “Pulmonary tuberculosis with cavities in lungs, hectic fever, etc. Chronic catarrhal pneumonia, with muco-purulent expectoration, dyspnoea, night sweats, etc. Chronic pneumonia with abscess in the lung, hectic fever. Acute catarrhal pneumonia, with caseous degeneration and fibrosis. Fibroid degeneration of the lung, with inflammation and haemorrhage; commencing cavity. In general, many cases of pulmonary disease, pneumonia, sub-acute and chronic, and various forms of phthisis pulmonaris have been cured, the special indications being great debility, night sweats, either after the cavity is formed or when a cavity threatens to form, with a decidedly cachectic condition of the patient. It seems probable that in the Iodide of Arsenic we have found a remedy most closely allied to manifestations of tuberculosis; it will be indicated by a profound prostration, rapid, irritable pulse, recurring fever and sweats, emaciation, tendency to diarrhoea, etc. It is especially valuable, in non- tubercular phthisis. A number of cases of weakness of the heart have been reported as relieved, and it undoubtedly acts similarly to Arsenic in such cases; unfortunately nearly all the cases reported have been treated with a combination of other drugs with this one, so that perhaps as much credit should be given to the other drugs, as to Arsen. iod.” This drugs has also been successfully used for chronic skin affections; psoriasis; eczema of the beard, watery oozing, great itching; worse from washing. Not only useful in the night sweats of phthisis, but also in that of other debilitating diseases.
Compare Arsenic. Iodine.