Treatment for Erythema Multiform

I have found a course of treatment in which rhus tox. is given internally, and a solution of epsom salts is used externally, to be the best treatment for the above named disease of many I have tried. I add five drops of specific rhus to four ounces of water, and advise the patient to take a teaspoonful of the mixture every one to three hours. I then dissolve two ounces of the sulphate of magnesia in two pints of water and apply this solution with compresses of gauze, keeping the surface moist constantly for 24 hours. Then I advise a bran bath and apply mild zinc ointment. If the bowels are at all constipated I advise that half a dram of the salts be taken every two hours, until the bowels move freely.

I repeat this course, about once in two days, both the external and internal treatment until the skin is normal.

THOMAS W. MUSGROVE, M. D.

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