ICHTHYOL AND RESORCIN. A CLINICAL STUDY OF 
THEIR EFFECTS.1 
BY 
GEORGE THOMAS .JACK.3PA, M.D., 
Asst. Visiting Physician New York Skin and Cancer Hospital. 
FROM time to time, now one remedy and now another, has 
been introduced to the notice of the medical profession, and 
commended enthusiastically as almost a specific for certain 
diseases. For a few brief months the enthusiasm seems almost 
contagious ; the medical journals bristle with articles from Doc- 
tors A., B., and C., proclaiming the wonderful cures they have 
obtained by the new remedy. But wait! A few months pass ; 
the reports about the drug grow less, and, like a sputtering 
candle, the great new light goes out, while the glow from the 
old and well-tried remedies becomes brighter than ever. 
No remedy in my time has been more enthusiastically 
heralded than icJithyol. Fired by the enthusiasm of Unna as 
evinced in the Erganzungsheft II. to the Monatshefte f. prakt. 
Dermatologie, for 1886, I began a series of practical experi- 
ments upon the ambulant patients in the service of Dr. George 
Henry Fox, at the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital, the 
results of which are given in this paper. I was predisposed in 
favor of the drug, and was therefore disappointed the more 
with the results obtained. The preparation used in nearly all 
the cases was the ammonio-sulphate, as manufactured by the 
Hamburg Ichthyol Company, and imported by Messrs. J. White 
& Co., of this city, who kindly furnished the hospital with a 
liberal supply for purposes of experiment. To them I would 
express my thanks for their courtesy. This preparation was 
used because it was the one preferred by U nna ; and it must be 
understood to be indicated in the following report, excepting 
where otherwise noted. In order to test the value of the drug 
itself, it was ordered in vaseline or simple ointment, and unless 
otherwise indicated, such excipients are to be understood. Its 
use was continued in each case for about one month, or until I 
became convinced that it was producing no benefit, or I could no 
1 Read before the N. Y. Dermatological Society, April 26, 1887. 2 
Jackson, Iclitliyol and Resorcin. 
longer withstand the appeals of my patients to stop it. With 
these preliminary remarks, let us proceed to a study of my 
cases. 
I used the drug in thirty cases, as follows: Rosacea, six 
cases; eczema, eight cases ; recurrent erythema, one case ; acne, 
nine cases; sycosis, one case; and ulcers, five cases. In some 
of these, other plans of treatment had been used before ichthyol 
was employed, and to some, ichthyol was the flrst application 
made. Eight of the cases failed to return, and these being 
deducted from the total number, leaves twenty-two cases to 
serve as a text. 
1. Rosacea. 
Of these I was able to follow only three cases. 
Case 1.—Mary S , M., jet. 39. Rosacea of one and one- 
lmlf year’s standing. 
June 17, 1886. Ordered a 10 per cent, solution of ichthyol 
(pure) in water. 
July 15th. Face somewhat paler. Continue treatment. 
July 31st. Face much redder, and skin inflamed. Stop 
ichthyol. 
Case 2.—Annie R , machine operator, sat. 36. Rosacea 
with acne for one year. 
June 29, 1886. Ichthyol, 5 percent, in collodion, locally, and 
three drops in capsule in the morning, internally. 
July loth. Doing well. Continue treatment. 
September 28th. No improvement. Stop the drug and give 
lotio alba, which rapidly cleared the face. 
Case 3.—Lizzie R , M., fet. 28. Rosacea with acne for 
six months. August 12, 1886, ichthyol soap locally, and ichthyol 
in capsules internally, 3 drops a. m. and p. m. 
August 19th. Face smoother, but red ; continue treaiment. 
August 26th. Face red and sore. Bowels very loose. Continue 
the soap, but stop the capsules. 
September 2d. Face not so red, but more acne. Continue the 
treatment. 
September 9th. Face no better. Stop ichthyol. 
I was able to follow all eight of these cases. 
Case. 4.—Bridget II , M., jet 52. Eczema squamosum 
of many years’ standing. A very chronic and obstinate case, 
with a great deal of thickening of the skin. 
June 16,1886. Prescribed a 10 percent, ointment of ichthyol. 
2. Eczema. Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
3 
June 22d. Doing well. Continue ointment. 
June 26th. About the same. Continue the ointment and order 
3 drops of the ichthyol a. m. and p. m. 
June 29th. Somewhat improved. Continue treatment. 
July 8th. Feet swollen, raw and very painful, so that the 
patient can scarcely walk. Stop ichthyol. 
Case 5.-—David S , set. 7 mos. Eczema vesiculosum in 
small patches. 
June 26, 1886, order 5 per cent, ichthyol ointment and 3 drops 
of the ichthyol internally during the day. 
July 13th. Much worse. Bowels very loose. Stop ichthyol. 
Case 6.—Albert M , set. 2 years. Eczema papulosum of 
four weeks’ standing. 
July 1, 1886. Ichthyol externally in 3 per cent, ointment; 
internally 3 drops during the day. 
July 6th. Somewhat better. Continue the ichthyol to the left 
leg and order the ointment of zinc oxide for the right. 
July 10th. The left leg (ichthyol) much worse and inflamed ; 
the right leg much better. Stop the ichthyol. 
Case 7.—Louis B , school boy, set. 10. Eczema papulosum 
for two years. 
November 6, 1886. Was ordered a 5 per cent, ichthyol oint- 
ment, which was continued up to 
December 11th, and, as there was no improvement, it was 
then stopped. 
Case 8.—Jas. R , peddler, set. 32. Eczema vesiculosum 
upon a syphilitic base. 
November 27, 1886. Was given a 5 per cent, ichthyol lotion 
in glycerine and water. This was used for one week without 
any improvement. Then a 3 per cent, ointment of the subiodide 
of bismuth was ordered, and he was well in one week. 
Case 9.—Michael R , coal heaver, set. 67. Eczema vari- 
cosum with ulcer. 
November 27, 1886. Was ordered a 2£ per cent, ichthyol 
lotion in glycerine and water. 
December 14th. Great improvement. Continue treatment. 
December 31st. Ulcer healed ; itching lessened ; skin red, 
thinner, dry and smooth. 
January 27, 1887. Doing well. Was finally cured with a 25 
per cent, ointment of cade. 
Case 10.—Leonard F , conductor, set. 25. Eczema madi- 
dans scroti of one month’s duration. 
February 23, 1887. After having greatly improved his con- 4 
Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
dition by the use of rubber, he was given a 2£ per cent, ichthyol 
ointment in Lassar's paste, with salicylic acid. 
March 19th. The ointment stopped the itching until three 
days ago, after his ointment had been out one week. To test 
whether it was the ichthyol or the Lassar's paste that did the 
good, I now exhibited the drug in vaseline, preserving the 
strength 3 per cent. 
March 22d. The ointment has converted a dry eczema into 
a raw and very itchy one. The ichthyol was stopped. 
Case 11.—G. P. M , clerk, set. 40. Eczema scroti. 
December 18, 1886. Ichthyol, 2 per cent, in Lassar's paste. 
February 12, 1887. Has been in comfortable condition until 
last week, when ointment ran out. 
3. Recurrent Erythema. 
Case 12.—Henry L , conductor, set. 21. 
July 1, 1886. Ichthyol, 5 per cent, in water, and internally, 
three drops t. i. d. 
July 27th. Has had several fresh outbreaks. Continue 
the treatment. 
September 11th. A few fresh outbreaks. Continue the 
treatment. 
October 16th. As there has been no improvement, the drug 
is stopped. 
4. Acne. 
Four of these cases did not return after first visit, so we have 
only six cases for our statistics 
Case 13.—Gottlieb R , scullion, set. 20. Acne for nine 
months. 
After having treated him for some time, and got his face into 
good condition, he had a fresh attack on July 18th. 
July 20, 1886. Ichthyol soap. Internally, bromide of ar- 
senic. 
August 3d. Face looking nicely. Continue treatment. 
August 14th. About the same 
August 24th. Face well. 
Case 14.—Pauline R , cap maker, set. 16. Acne vulgaris 
for one year. 
July 15, 1886. Externally, 10 per cent, ichthyol ointment; 
internally, three drops ichthyol a. m. and p. M. 
July 22d. Face worse. Continue treatment. Did not see 
her again. Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
5 
Case 15.—David L , clerk, set. 18. Acne vulgaris for 
tliree years. 
December 23,1886. Ichthyol soap, and internally, five drops 
a. m. and p. m. 
January 18, 1887. Has continued treatment faithfully, but 
without any effect, so stop it. 
Case 16.—Henry N , grocer, set. 22. Acne for five years. 
December 23, 1886. Ichthyol soap. Internally, rhubarb and 
soda. 
January 11, 1887. Steady improvement. 
Case 17. — Jno. M , printer, set. 19. Acne for four 
weeks. 
December 30, 1886. Ichthyol soap. Internally, tr. nux vom. 
January 6, 1887. Face smooth. Continue treatment. 
January 15, 1887. Relapse. 
Case 18.—Minnie N , clerk, set. 18. Acne indurata for 
one year. 
March 22, 1887. Ichthyol, 30 per cent, in vaseline. 
March 29, 1887. Has caused an artificial eczema, so stop it. 
5. Sycosis. 
Case 19.— W. H. G , tailor, set. 54. Sycosis with 
relapses for many years. 
June 29, 1886. Ichthyol, 10 per cent, in lard. 
July 6, 1886. Began to grow worse on July 4th. An acute 
outbreak. Reduce strength of ointment to 3 per cent, and give 
three drops twice a day, internally. 
July 10, 1886. A large number of new pustules. Stopped. 
Two of these cases did not return after first visit, so we have 
only three cases for study. 
Case 20.—Bridget S , M., set. 39. Varicose ulcer for 
three years. 
November 30, 1886. Ichthyol, 3 per cent, in simple oint- 
ment. 
January 6, 1887. Was continued up to this date. The con- 
dition being much worse, it was stopped. 
Case 21.—Carl S , paints, set. 45. Ulcers of some months’ 
standing. 
March 19, 1887. Ichthyol 3 per cent, in vaseline. 
March 22d. More painful. Continue treatment. 
Case 22. Eliza W , M., set. 46. Varicose ulcer. 
6. Ulcers. 6 
Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
March 19, 1887. Ichthyol 8 per cent, in vaseline. 
March 22d. Pained so that she could not stand it. Stop. 
What story does the study of these cases tell us ? One of al- 
most absolutely negative results in regard to benefiting the 
cases. Yes ; and worse ; we find that the drug is irritating and 
aggravated many of the conditions present in the cases. 
Let me summarize my results: Ichthyol, either in the form of 
the soap, the pure product, or the ammonia-sulphate was used 
in twenty-two cases of skin diseases, as follows : 
DISEASE. 
NUMBER 
OF CASES. 
AV’O TIME 
OF USING. 
INTERNALLY. 
EXTERNALLY. 
RESULTS AND REMARKS. 
Rosacea.... 
8 
5 weeks. 
Both. 
1 case aggravated. No effect In 2 cases. 
Eczema .... 
Recurr ent 
8 
5 
4 cases, both. 
4 “ ext. 
4 cases aggravated. 
2 “ no effect. 
1 case greatly benefited. 
1 “ temporary benefit. 
It will be noticed that Case 11 was greatly 
benefited, but here the medicament 
was exhibited in I.assar’s paste. Case 
10 was also somewhat benefited when 
usings similar combination, but made 
worse when vaseline was substituted 
for the paste. Even In Case 9, which 
also was benefited, the oil of cade 
had to be resorted to to complete the 
cure. 
Erythema. 
1 
14 w’ks. 
Both. 
No improvement. 
Acne 
6 
2* “ 
2 cases, both. 
4 “ ext. 
1 case cured, but bromide of arsenic was 
given by the mouth. 
2 cases made worse. 
1 case temporarily benefited. 
1 improved." 
1 “ no effect. 
Sycosis.... 
1 
2 weeks. 
Both. 
Aggravated. 
Ulcers 
3 
4 (lays. 
Ext. 
Aggravated. 
11 cases made worse. 
6 “ no improvement. 
1 case cured, arsenic being given at the same time. 
4 cases improved, in two of which other well-known and tried remedies were need. 
Well, I am sincerely sorry and greatly disappointed at the 
results I have obtained ; because I had hoped to find a reliable 
remedy for the treatment of some of the most obstinate and dis- 
figuring of skin diseases. But in the face of what I have seen 
my judgment must be: Ichthyol is an unreliable preparation 
when used alone; in some cases it is of apparent benefit when 
exhibited as an adjuvant; but it is not as good as many other 
old and well-approved remedies. 
Resorcin. 
Let us now turn to the consideration of the second medica- 
ment chosen for our evening’s study, namely: Resorcin, and Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
7 
neat it in the same manner as we did ichthyol. The cases here 
detailed were, with one or two exceptions, all treated by me in 
Dr. Geo. H. Fox’s service at the New York Skin and Cancer 
Hospital. As a number of the cases reported are examples of 
very rare forms of skin diseases, I would say that in all doubt- 
ful cases I have asked for and obtained Dr. Fox’s opinion before 
entering the diagnosis on my notes. The drug was exhibited in 
vaseline, unless otherwise indicated, and in strengths running 
from five to fifty per cent. 
I used the drug in nineteen cases, but was able to follow only 
fifteen of them, as follows: Eczema, 6 cases ; epithelioma, 3 
cases ; tuberculosis cutis, 3 cases; lupus erythematosus, 
1 case ; lupus vulgaris, 1 case, and psoriasis, 1 case. In some 
of these cases other plans of treatment had been used before re- 
sorting to the resorcin, but in most of them resorcin was the first 
thing used. Internal treatment was given in only one of these 
cases ; excepting something to relieve constipation or indiges- 
tion intercurrently arising in a few of them. 
1. Eczema. (6 Cases.) 
Case 1.—Bridget H , M., jet. 52. Eczema squamosum 
clironicum. 
May 29, 1886. Resorcin 5 per cent, in ungt. zinc oxide. 
June 10th. Much worse. Feet swollen so that she cannot 
walk. Stop it. 
Case 2.—Jas. McN , laborer, set. 39. Eczema squamosum 
of six years’ standing. Varicose veins. 
November 23d. Resorcin 12 per cent, in glycerine, applied 
with camel’s hair brush twice a day. 
December 2d. Leg itches a great deal more, and is raw and 
moist. Stop it. 
Case 3.—G. P. K , clerk, set. 40. Eczema madidans of 
genitals and anal region of three years’ duration. 
November 23, 1886. Resorcin 12 per cent, in glycerine as 
above. 
December 18th. Anal region is somewhat improved. Genitals 
more raw and inflamed. Stop it. 
Case 4.—Jno. McC , laborer, set. 37. Eczema squamosum 
of crotch, of three months’ duration. 
April 16, 1886. Resorcin 2 per cent in collodion. 
April 21st. Skin paler and not itchy. Continue treatment. 
May 13th. Looking nicely. Continue. 
June 12th. Almost well. Continue. Did not see him again. 8 
Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
Case 5.—Julius H , school, ?et. 14. Eczema squamosum 
capitis of seven months’ duration. 
December 4, 1886. Resorcin 3 per cent, in lanolin and olive 
oil. 
December 9th. Great improvement. Continue. 
January 6, 1887. Stop resorcin because after first benefit it 
seems to exert no further influence on the scalp. 
Case 6.—J. C. L , engineer, a)t. 34. Eczema squamosum 
of six years’ duration. 
November 29, 1886. Resorcin 12 per cent, in glycerine. 
December 23d. Has proved very irritating and caused feet 
to swell. Stop it. 
2. Epithelioma. (3 Cases.) 
Case 7.—Eliza M , M., set. 49. A case of doubtful 
diagnosis. Apparently a fungating or warty growth develop- 
ing upon old psoriatic patch. There is a large elevated patch 
upon the back which has many of the clinical features of 
epithelioma. To this pyrogallol and ammoniate of mercury were 
applied at different times for some weeks without much effect, 
and on 
December 19, 1886. A 6 per cent, ointment of resorcin was 
ordered. 
December 29th. Great improvement. Redness less, fungous 
granulations reduced. Continue treatment at 20 per cent, 
strength. 
January 7, 1887. Patch on back quite flat and smooth, but 
a good deal of redness about it in adjacent skin. Stop resorcin 
and prescribe Lassar’s paste with salicylic acid. 
March 25th. Patch on back again raised and covered with 
yellowish crust. Renew resorcin. 
April 1st. Doing well, though somewhat sore. Continue 
treatment. 
April 3d. All flattened out. Continue treatment. 
April 12th. Doing well. 
April 22d. Acute attack of psoriasis over body. 
May 13th. Patch smaller. 
May 25th. Patch now smooth ; only some redness at former 
site. After this the patient was not seen. 
Case 8.—Bridget R , housewife, a?t. 58. Epithelioma of 
face, of four years’ duration. 
August 17, 1886. Resorcin, 50 per cent, ointment. This was 
continued constantly until Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
9 
November 4th. Ulcer apparently entirely healed. 
December 21st. Middle or old part of ulcer covered with firm 
cicatrix. Some small ulcerating points about the edge, which 
are bored out with nitrate of silver. 
Case 9.—John L , carpenter, set. 44. Epitheliomatous 
ulcer of seven years’ duration. 
September 16th. Resorcin, 50 per cent, ointment. 
September 18th. Doing well. Continue treatment. He was 
then lost sight of. 
3. Tuberculosis Cutis, or Scrofuloderma. (3 Cases.) 
Case 10.—Ann B , housewife, set. 66. Chronic ulceration 
of finger of twenty years’ duration. 
February 9, 1886. Resorcin, 20 per cent, ointment. 
February 16th. Better. Continue treatment. 
February 23d. Better. Burns a little. Continue. 
March 16th. Soreness gone. Ulcer nearly healed. (This 
was subsequently completely cured with mercurial plaster.) 
Case 11.—Mrs. M , housewife, set. 62. Tuberculosis cutis 
of back of hand, index and middle finger, for one and one- 
lialf years. Skin dark red, with tendency to ulceration at 
various points, and to creep along back of hand. 
February 2, 1886. After having used a bichloride of mercury 
ointment for two months without any benefit, she was given a 
resorcin ointment of 20 per cent, strength. 
February 23d. Skin red and scaly. Continue treatment. 
March 23d.—Disease spreading down the back of the hand, 
which is sore and painful. Stop the resorcin and give mercurial 
plaster. 
April 8th. Better in upper part; worse in lower part. 
Resorcin, 10 per cent, in collodion. 
April 15th. Much irritated. Hand swollen. Stop resorcin 
and use ungt. zinc oxide. 
April 20th. Upper part is well. Continue u. z. o. 
April 27th Skin full of purulent matter underneath. Itches 
a good deal. Resorcin, 5 per cent, in simple ointment. 
April 29th. Decidedly better. Inflammatory symptoms 
ceased. Continue treatment. 
August 12th. Now most of the patch is well, and the skin 
sound. 
Incidentally, I would say that the daughter of this patient 
applied the resorcin-collodion preparation to her corns upon her 10 
Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorc-in. 
own responsibility, and cured them. May be in resorcin we 
have a new corn remedy. 
Case 12.—Nathan W , a?t. 6. 
Verrucous scrofulodermata upon left leg, of six months’ 
standing. 
After removing crusts with a poultice, on 
July 6, 1886, a 10 per cent, ointment of resorcin in agnine 
was ordered for local use, and arsenic and iron given by the 
mouth. 
September lltli. Majority of patches well. No verruca? 
except on lower part of patch on back of leg. Continue treat- 
ment. 
September 28th. All well excepting one patch over calf, where 
there is some pnstulation. Stop resorcin and order ungt. zinc 
oxid. 
October 7th. All smooth, and only some discoloration. He 
was not seen again until 
March 24, 1887, when he came back with a slight relapse in 
patch over calf. The other old patches have their location 
marked by delicate cicatricial tissue, which is dotted like a vac- 
cination scar. 
4. Lupus Erythematosus. 
Case 13.—T. C , brakeman, mt. 41. Lupus erythe- 
matosus of ten years’ duration, with nodules with central 
depression, apparently located about the sebaceous glands of 
nose. 
January 9, 1885. Resorcin, 20 per cent. Internally, phos- 
phorus. 
January 19th. Great improvement. Nodules have all flat- 
tened out. Has never been so well since disease first appeared. 
January 30th. Only slight redness and scaling. Stop 
resorcin and give zinc oxide ointment. 
February 2d. No scaling. Slight redness. Order Hydrarg. 
ammon, 20 grains, in ungt. ox. zinc, one ounce. 
March 20th. Has had a few nodules appear since he was 
last seen, which disappeared promptly under resorcin. 
5. Lupus Vulgaris. 
Case 14.—Eliza G , M., set. 36. Lupus non-exedens for 
thirty-four years. 
In this case the bichloride of mercury ointment was used for 
several months without the least effect. 
April 1, 1886. Resorcin, 25 per cent, ointment. Jackson, Ichthyol and Resorcin. 
11 
April 27tli. Doing well. Patch with more cicatricial tissue 
through it. Resorcin picks out diseased points and leaves 
sound and cicatricial parts unaffected. 
May 29tli. Perpendicular diameter of both ends of patch 
reduced two mm. Continue treatment. 
September 14th. Steady, but slow improvement. Stop 
resorcin to begin electrolysis on patch. 
Case 15.—Jno. H driver, set. 40. Psoriasis for four years. 
May 8, 1886. Resorcin 5 per cent, ointment. 
May 11th. Has cleaned up patches, removing the scales. 
Continue treatment. 
August 31st. Up to date has had no further influence, so 
stop it. 
Summary: Resorcin was used in fifteen cases of skin dis- 
eases, as follows: 
6. Psoriasis. 
DISEASE. 
NUMBER 
OF CASES. 
av’g time of 
USING DRUG. 
RESULTS AND REMARKS. 
Eczema 
6 
27 Days 
3 Cases aggravated, 2 cases improved, 1 case cured. 
Epithelioma 
Tuberculo- 
sis or Scrof- 
3 
4% Months.. 
All greatly improved, two of them having been 
caused to heal up completely, although one had a 
relapse at edges of patch. 
uloderma.. 
Lupus Ery- 
3 
3*4 Months.. 
All greatly improved, and one cured, iron and ar- 
senic being used internally. 
them 
Lupus Vul- 
1 
2 Months.... 
Remarkable improvement, causing prompt disap- 
pearance of inflammatory symptoms. 
garis....... 
1 
Months.. 
Improved ; size of patch lessened. 
Psoriasis.... 
1 
3% Months.. 
Slight improvement at first; afterwards no effect. 
3 Cases made worse. 
10 “ improved. 
2 “ cured. 
Considering the very intractable nature of most of the cases 
in which resorcin was used, the results obtained seem to me 
eminently satisfactory, and I feel justified in making the follow- 
ing 
Conclusions: Resorcin is an irritating substance for use in 
eczema, though at times it may prove very efficient in chronic 
cases where active stimulation is indicated. It exerts a power- 
ful absorbtive effect on new cell infiltrations. It is a useful addi- 
tion to our list of remedies for the treatment of epitheliomatous 
lesions where surgical procedures are contra-indicated from any 
cause.