Iodoform

Iodoform is one of the remedies most useful and most reliable in the successful treatment of many wounds and surgical operations. As a remedy in these cases it is powerfully antiseptic and generally free from danger. The older literature on the subject relates the fact that the German doctors had many cases of poisoning and some deaths resulting from its early use, but I think that is not the experience of the profession in this country today. I have found iodoform a most useful and reliable remedy for recent wounds.

V. B. RAFTER, M. D.

COMMENT: Some twenty years ago, I had occasion to treat a very severe burn of the abdomen and thigh, caused by the upsetting of a ladle of melted iron

The secondary dressing in this case was an ointment with iodoform as the antiseptic principle. This was applied freely over a large surface. As a result, after two or three days there were mental hallucinations and a very excitable, hilarious delirium.

This increased with each application of the ointment, until I stopped the ointment entirely, when the patient recovered his mental action, but was very weak. There was a peculiar taste in the mouth and some diarrhea. I attributed the result directly to the application of an excess of the ointment.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.