Note 199 — FOREWORD

In order to determine whether the iodine which is in combination with fat is absorbed through the skin, a few experiments were carried out. The dark-colored iodine-containing fat (obtained from the ointment and washed free from potassium iodide by the method described above) was rubbed thoroughly into the skin of the forearm. It was allowed to remain for four hours, after which the limb was scoured with soap suds. Beginning at the time of the application the urine was collected for forty-eight hours. This was evaporated to small bulk and the residue tested for iodine by Kendall’s method. Small amounts of iodine were found. These findings were taken to indicate that the iodine-containing fat is absorbed to some extent by the skin. It is generally believed that potassium iodide is not absorbed by the unbroken skin. Therefore it seems reasonable to suppose that the principal iodine effects obtainable from iodine ointment are those due to the free iodine contained in the preparation, supplemented to a slight extent by the iodine which is contained in the fatty ointment base.—Jour. Biochem., 1914, 19, 251.