Soaps

Soft potash soap, equivalent to the sapo viridis of the Pharmacopoeia, contains an excess of alkali, as is used for the reduction of infiltration. It should be thoroughly rubbed in with the aid of flannel moistened in hot water until the lather has formed. This is left on, and the effect is similar to that of liquor potassae, already noticed. Hard soda soap, prepared for laundry use, also contains considerable free alkali, and may be used for the same purpose. Tar soap is of service in the third and scaly stage of the disease.

Certain mechanical means are sometimes employed in the treatment of eczema. The application of rubber, in the form of an elastic bandage, often proves of the greatest service in thickened eczemas of the lower extremities; then the object sought is steady pressure with a view to produce absorption of the infiltration. The silk elastic stocking may be used for the same purpose.

Sometimes localized patches of eczema of long standing fail to yield to any of the ordinary means for their relief, and necessitate more vigorous interference. In this connection scarification is extremely useful, and patches of thickened eczema will sometimes disappear almost as if by magic after the use of the knife.