This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
Hyperkeratosis is a phase of radiodermatitis. It presents certain problems in therapy which need to be mentioned only because no mode of treatment has been universally accepted. Some years ago the use of a poultice of linseed was proposed, and more recently application of the leaf of Aloe vera or of a jelly prepared with it was advocated.
As a result of a study of saponification and emulsification it occurred to me that an emulsion of oil in water would be a satisfactory treatment for certain forms of scaling and infiltration. Such an emulsion was prepared, modern emulsifying agents being used, and the results on two patients treated with the preparation were so gratifying that two surgeons who had patients on whom an operation was to be performed or in treatment of whom operation was ill advised because of infiltration of radiodermatitis were enabled to delay operation or to