The selection of 2 per cent aqueous solution of mercurochrome-220 soluble for this study was made because of its frequent use by the laity in ringworm of the toes and of the feet, and because of its recommendation by physicians in several recent articles as being beneficial in such cases.
The choice of liquor hexylresorcinolis 1: 1,000 ( ST37 ) for a fungistatic study was made because of its asserted high bactericidal power and because of its derivation from resorcinol, which is commonly used in dermatologic conditions. Resorcinol is a diatomic phenol, metadihydroxybenzene (C6H4(OH)2).
According to Sollmann,1 the power of benzene (C6H6) to react with protoplasm is given by replacing some of its hydrogen atoms by other groups, especially by the hydroxyl (OH) group, thus forming phenol and polyatomic phenols. Hexylresorcinol, having two hydroxyl groups, should theoretically be a more