Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Iodide of Lead Ointment
An ointment of iodide of lead composed of 4 parts iodide of lead, 4 parts chloride of ammonium, and 50 of lard, is either of a yellow or white color, according to the manner in which these ingredients are brought together. When rubbed together dry, the color of the mixture is yellow; but when the chloride of ammonium, in order to facilitate the mixing, is first liquefied in a small quantity of water before being added to the iodide of lead, the yellow color of the latter disappears, owing to the formation of two colorless salts, the chloride of lead and iodide of ammonium. It is well in cases like these to adhere strictly to the directions of the prescription. (Eymael.)