To the Editor.—
A renewed interest in flexible collodion for the treatment of herpes zoster neuralgia prompted us to make the following comments in favor of this simple and effective modality of treatment.It is well known that the treatment of herpes zoster is symptomatic, and that in mild zoster nothing more than the local application of a drying lotion has been recommended. Measures to ease the pain are often necessary, and analgesics are required; however, the hyperesthesia tends to persist in some patients, and the pain continues in spite of the therapeutic efforts.In our patients suffering from the pain of herpes zoster, we were often able to give immediate relief by painting the lesions and the immediately surrounding area with flexible collodion. Reapplication of the collodion was necessary every 12 hours for prolonged results.When applied to the skin, the ether of collodion evaporates and a transparent film