ra sagrada, aloes and other vegetable cathartics.

_Digestives_--pepsin, pancreatin, muriatic acid and the various bitter
tonics.

#Are there any remedies which have a specific influence?#

No; although arsenic, in exceptional instances, seems to exert a special
action. Cod-liver oil is also of great value in some cases.

Upon the whole the most important remedies are those which keep in view
the maintenance of a proper and healthful condition of the
gastro-intestinal tract, and especially with regular and rather free
action of the bowels.

#In what class of cases does arsenic often prove of service?#

In the sluggish, dry, erythematous, scaly and papular types.

#In what cases is arsenic usually contraindicated?#

It should never be employed in acute cases; nor in any instance (unless
its action is watched), in which the degree of inflammatory action is
marked, as an aggravation of the disease usually results.

#What should be the character of the external treatment?#

It depends mainly upon the degree of inflammatory action; but the stage
of the disease, the extent involved, and the ability of the patient to
carry out the details of treatment, also have a bearing upon the
selection of the plan to be advised.

#What is to be said about the use of soap and water in eczema?#

In acute and subacute conditions soap and water are to be employed, as a
rule, as infrequently and as sparingly as possible, as the disease is
often aggravated by their too free use. Washing is necessary, however,
for cleanliness and occasionally, also, for the removal of the crusts.
On the other hand, in chronic, sluggish types the use of soap and water
frequently has a therapeutic value.

#How often should remedial applications be made?#

Usually twice daily, although in some case, and especially those of an
acute type, applications should be made every few hours.

#Mention several remedies or plans of treatment to be used in the acute
or actively inflammatory cases.#

Black wash and oxide-of-zinc ointment conjointly, the wash thoroughly
dabbed on, allowed to dry, the parts gently smeared with ointment; or
the ointment may be applied spread on lint as a plaster.

Boric-acid wash (15 grains to the ounce) and oxide-of-zinc ointment,
applied in the same manner as the above.

A lotion containing calamine and zinc oxide, the sediment drying and
coating over the affected surface:--

[Rx] Calaminae,
Zinci