(2) By Inunction.—­Inunction consists in rubbing into the pores of the skin an ointment composed of equal parts of 20 per cent. oleate of mercury and lanolin.  Every night after a hot bath, a dram of the ointment (made up by the chemist in paper packets) is rubbed for fifteen minutes into the skin where it is soft and comparatively free from hairs.  When the patient has been brought under the influence of the mercury, inunction may be replaced by one of the other methods, of administering the drug.

(3) By Intra-muscular Injection.—­This consists in introducing the drug by means of a hypodermic syringe into the substance of the gluteal muscles.  The syringe is made of glass, and has a solid glass piston; the needle of platino-iridium should be 5 cm. long and of a larger calibre than the ordinary hypodermic needle.  The preparation usually employed consists of:  metallic mercury or calomel 1 dram, lanolin and olive oil each 2 drams; it must be warmed to allow of its passage through the needle.  Five minims—­containing one grain of metallic mercury—­represent a dose, and this is injected into the muscles above and behind the great trochanter once a week.  The contents of the syringe are slowly expressed, and, after withdrawing the needle, gentle massage of the buttock should be employed.  Four courses each of ten injections are given the first year, three courses of the same number during the second and third years, and two courses during the fourth year (Lambkin).

The General Health.—­The patient must lead a regular life and cultivate the fresh-air habit, which is as beneficial in syphilis as in tuberculosis.  Anaemia, malaria, and other sources of debility must receive appropriate treatment.  The diet should be simple and easily digested, and should include a full supply of milk.  Alcohol is prohibited.  The excretory organs are encouraged to act by the liberal drinking of hot water between meals, say five or six tumblerfuls in the twenty-four hours.  The functions of the skin are further aided by frequent hot baths, and by the wearing of warm underclothing.  While the patient should avoid exposure to cold, and taxing his energies by undue exertion, he should be advised to take exercise in the open air.  On account of the liability to lesions of the mouth and throat, he should use tobacco in moderation, his teeth should be thoroughly overhauled by the dentist, and he should brush them after every meal, using an antiseptic tooth powder or wash.  The mouth and throat should be rinsed out night and morning with a solution of chlorate of potash and alum, or with peroxide of hydrogen.