Page 405 - My FlipBook

EUROPHEN.
403
with wound secretions, it gives off slowly small quantities of
iodine, which are immediately combined again, and form the
soluble compound. The chief action of europhen can be as-
cribed to this formation in the nascent state ; hence there is
present in this agent very small quantities of free iodine,
which form during the drying process and cannot be removed
from it,—the percentage has been estimated at about 0.03 per
cent.
On account of europhen being easily decomposed, all starch
mixed with it and also mixtures of metallic oxides, are contra-
indicated. Talcum is employed to make with it a thick paste,
and simple mixtures of it with fats, vaseline or lanoline are very
durable, especially the latter. Europhen solutions must be pre-
pared at a low temperature, and they must be protected from
the light and moisture.
Therapeutic Action.—Europhen is employed as a substitute for
iodoform in the treatment of wounds, as, it is claimed, that a
given weight of europhen will cover five times as large a wound
surface as the same weight of iodoform ; and also that it will
prove efficacious in cases where iodoform fails.
Its freedom from odor and non-toxic effects are also advan-
tages over iodoform.
Dental Uses.—Europhen is employed in dental practice for
irritation and inflammation of the oral mucous membrane, such
as may result from artificial dentures, crown- and bridge-work,
as it acts promptly and efficiently in reducing the swelling and
soreness ; also in syphilitic mucous patches on the cheeks and
tongue ; it is also employed to relieve the pain of inflamed or
suppurating pulps of teeth on account of its rapid action. Dr.
A. W. Harlan recommends for such purposes, powdered europhen
rubbed up with lanolin (25 parts of europhen to parts of
75
lanolin). He has also found such a combination to be of service
in the after-dressing of the pockets of alveolar pyorrhoea, and as
a parasiticide, and as a dressing in empyema of the antrum.
The powdered europhen is also applied in gingival inflamma-
tions resulting from setting crowns and bridges, with great suc-
cess ; also to an inflamed and suppurating pulp.