B. Exceedingly caustic, (H.G.P.)

C. Adenoma, Ostertag, 168, Dec. '79, 567. Acne, (H.G.P.)

Remarks

The use of bromide of arsenic in acne is, I believe, original; at least, I have not met with any reference to it in literature. Conceiving, from purely theoretical considerations, that it might be useful in certain cases, I first tried it in the spring of 1878 in a case of pustular acne vulgaris of moderate severity, and gave it in doses of one milligram (gr. 1/65) three times a day. Within a week the patient, a young lady, returned, complaining that her face was much worse. On examination I found on each side of the face a crop of miliary pustules in addition to the acne. The arsenic was discontinued, and a placebo prescribed. This was followed by improvement for a week, when the arsenic was resumed in much smaller doses, and in three or four weeks the case was substantially well. In a second case I had a similar experience, and in a third case I prescribed an alcoholic solution containing one grain to the ounce, and directed that two drops should be taken night and morning. This patient I did not again see for nearly six months, when she informed me that the medicine had in a few weeks accomplished all that she desired. Since then I have used bromide of arsenic with much satisfaction in pustular acne, but have not tried it in other varieties of this affection, nor in other cutaneous diseases.

While experimenting with the drug, I learned, accidentally, that the pure bromide is a pretty active caustic.