Acceptable methods for the treatment of common diseases, such as impetigo and related ecthyma and pyoderma, are numerous. The successful management in individual cases, however, is at times difficult, and a desire for improvement is indicated by the frequency with which new methods are proposed. The most widely used drug in the United States is ammoniated mercury, applied usually in the form of an ointment. In many cases it gives excellent results. It has, however, definite limitations. It is prone to produce contact dermatitis in a fairly high number of patients; moreover, it is at times difficult to apply this medication in ointment form to a moist surface, such as is frequently presented in impetigo and in ecthymatous ulcers. This is particularly true when crusts are removed in the office and treatment is immediately applied. These same objections hold true with less commonly used medications, such as resorcinol, sulfur and