Pix liquida

Description:The U. S. P. describes Pix liquida as "thick, viscid, semifluid, blackish-brown, heavier than water, transparent in thin layers, becoming granular and opaque with age; odor empyreumatic, terebintbinate; taste sharp, empyreumatic. Pix liquida is slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol, fixed or volatile oils, and solution of potassium or sodium hydrate.Pix liquida is stimulant, diuretic and diaphoretic. It has been advantageously used in chronic coughs, chronic bronchial and laryngeal affections; the inhalation of its vapor acts as a stimulant and irritant to the bronchial mucous membrane, promoting its secretion, but is seldom used. It is chiefly used externally as a local application to some cutaneous affections, as porrigo, tinea capitis, lepra, psoriasis, prurigo, eczema, and herpes circinatus. Excellent results sometimes follow its employment in suppurating burns, excoriations, furuncles, cracked nipples, and piles. Oakum, a dressing sometimes impregnated with tar forms a good antiseptic absorbent for pus-bathed surfaces, and also to obstinate ulcers. It is an excellent antipruritic and that is its specific use.