On the value of a lotion of sulphide of zinc in the treatment of superficial lupus erythematosus / by Louis A. Duhring.

  • Duhring, Louis A., 1845-1913.
Date:
[1883]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the value of a lotion of sulphide of zinc in the treatment of superficial lupus erythematosus / by Louis A. Duhring. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    sulphur present. Of these sulphides, the trisul- phide and the pentasulphide are the most common. The potassa sulphurata of the United States and British Pharmacopoeias are, according to their com- position, principally trisulphides, and if these are employed, two equivalents of sulphur will be formed, as shown in the following formula : K2S3+ZnS04+H20. =K,S04+ZnS.H20+2S. ''Again, if potassium pentasulphide is employed, an excess of four equivalents of sulphur would be precipitated, as follows: K2S5+ZnS04+H20 == K2S04+ZnS.H20+4S. I shall now briefly refer to three cases in which the beneficial effects of the lotion were striking: About a year ago, Mr. W., aged 45, presented himself to me, exhibiting six or eight dull-red, chronically inflamed, slightly scaly, irregularly rounded, ill-defined patches of lupus erythematosus. The lesions were the size of peas and small beans, and were scattered over the face. They had existed eight months, and were subject to considerable variation. The patient had, at different times, been under the influence of arsenic, mercury, and iodide of potassium, and locally had used mercurial ointments—all without benefit. I prescribed an ointment of precipitated sulphur, one drachm to the ounce, which in a few days caused heat, and in- creased redness. Subsequently, tar ointment; oil