A CLINICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS IODINE SOLUTIONS

¹ Periodontia Department of Division of Dentistry, Sydenham Hospital, New York, N. Y.

1. A systematic attempt has been made to investigate clinically three chemically different types of aqueous ioidne solution having 0.02 per cent free iodine.

2. A special technique has been developed using a rubber latex sleeve which may be employed generally in a differential method for evaluating the relative efficacy of oral lavages.

3. Clinical differences observed for various aqueous iodine solutions appear to be in accord with the antibacterial activity and perhaps toxicity of these solutions toward tissue cells.

4. A solution of diatomic iodine, I₂, with small amounts of hypoiodous acid, HIO, and practically free of tri-iodide, I₃, and iodide, I, has been found effective and convenient as an oral lavage.

5. The solution given previously appears the most effective of the 3 iodine solutions for purposes of toning the tissues of periodontally involved patients as described in the text.