Caustic, Zinc

Syn. Caustic of chloride of zinc , Dr Can quoin’s cancer caustic ; Causticum zinc′i , C. z. chlorid′i , L. Prep. 1. (Dr Can quoin.)— a. From chloride of zinc, 1 dr.; flour, 2 dr.; made into a stiff paste with water, q. s. b. From chloride of zinc, 1 dr.; flour, 3 dr.; water, q. s.; as the last. c. From chloride of zinc, 1 dr.; flour, 4 dr.; water, q. s.; as before. d. From chloride of zinc, 2 dr.; chloride of antimony, 1 dr.; flour, 5 dr.; as before. Powdered opium may be mixed with either of the preceding to mitigate the pain. 2. (Alex. Ure.) As above, but substituting plaster of Paris for the flour there ordered. Uses, . As a caustic in cancer, lupus, skin-marks ( nævi ), . It is formed into small cakes or wafers not exceeding 1 or 2 lines in thickne , one of which is applied to the part, and allowed to remain on from 6 to 12 hours, when it is removed, and the part covered with a poultice. It produces an eschar, often exceeding a quarter of an inch in depth. The chlorides must be in the form of powder, and well mixed with the flour previously to adding the water. The last (No. 1, d ) is recommended in nodulated cancerous tumours.