Donovan's Solution

Donovan's Solution, Solutio Donovani, Liquor arseni et hydrargyri jodidi, an old remedy for chronic syphilitic rashes. It was adopted in the American, English, and Japanese pharmacopoeias. It is prepared differently in different countries; according to the X edition of the North American United States Pharmacopoeia, D. r. is an aqueous solution containing 1% arsenic iodide (AsJ₀) and 1% mercuric iodide (HgJ₂). The maximum single dose of D. r. is 0.1 cm³. According to the formula in the appendix to the Russian pharmaceutical tariff, D. r. contains 0.166% arsenic iodide and 0.333% mercuric iodide. When prepared according to Bouchardat, D. r. contains 0.166% arsenic iodide, 0.333% mercuric iodide, and 3.333% potassium iodide. It is prescribed in 5 drops 2-3 times a day, increasing to 100 drops and then reducing to 5. D. r. is used for chronic skin rashes and lupus; for the latter, Hebra's experiments gave only conditional results. The action of D. r. should be associated with the effects of arsenic, iodine, and mercury (see).