Vasogen

VASOGEN, Vasogenum, the name of a preparation released for sale in 1893 (by the firm "Pearson & Co.") and representing, according to the firm's report, oxygen-saturated petroleum jelly (Vaselinum oxygenatum). However, according to the research of Kuttmayer (C. Kuttmayer, Pharmazeutische Zeitung, 1895, p. 226), Vasogen represents petroleum jelly containing about 25% oleic acid, saponified with ammonia, and, consequently, the oxidation of petroleum jelly or the presence of free oxygen in Vasogen is denied by Kuttmayer. Vasogen is a transparent, oily liquid, yellow-brown in color and with an alkaline reaction; it forms transparent mixtures with ether, chloroform, and gasoline; when shaken with water, it forms an emulsion; upon heating, it releases ammonia. There is thick Vasogen (Vasogenum spissum) and liquid Vasogen (Vasogenum liquidum) on the market. According to the Pharmacopoeia (VII), liquid Vasogen, V. liquidum s. Vasolimentum, is prepared from 30 parts oleic acid, 10 parts alcoholic ammonia solution, and 60 parts yellow petroleum jelly oil. Many medicinal substances dissolve in Vasogen, such as: iodine, iodoform, camphor, menthol, naphthol, salicylic acid, etc., and since Vasogen itself is well absorbed by mucous membranes, thanks to this property, it began to be used as a base for the preparation of the following vasogen preparations.

- Guaiacol-vasogen, a compound of guaiacol with vasogen; available in 10% and 20%; used topically (as an analgesic) for effusive pleurisy, epididymitis, vaginal pruritus, and also for lupus of the nasal mucous membrane. - Iodine-vasogen, Vasogenum jodatum s. Vasolimentum jodatum, according to the Pharmacopoeia (VII), is prepared by dissolving 10 parts of iodine in 90 parts of liquid vasogen and contains about 5% free iodine and about 5% bound; there are iodine-vasogen preparations on the market that contain iodine not in a free state, but only in the form of ammonium iodide. Iodine-vasogen is used externally for rubbing, 3.5–5.0 twice a day, for various acute and chronic inflammatory processes, e.g., for lymphadenitis, orchitis, epididymitis, chronic articular rheumatism, neuralgias, effusive pleurisy, syphilis, eczema in children, parametritis (in the form of tampons), goiter, etc. - Iodoform-vasogen, Vasogenum iodoformiatum (1.5–3%), is used for purulent inflammation of the ears, for gummatous processes, tuberculous glands and fistulas, and in dental practice. - Camphor-chloroform-vasogen, Vasogenum chloroformii camphoratum (the listed ingredients in equal parts), is used for rubbing for lumbago, neuralgias, and rheumatic pains. - Creosote-vasogen, Vasogenum kreosotatum (20%), is used in the form of rubbing 1–2.5 g morning and evening for pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous ulcers; after rubbing, a loss of appetite is often observed, and patients complain of the taste of creosote in the mouth. - Menthol-vasogen, Vasogenum mentholatum (2–25%), is used for the treatment of diseases of the mucous membrane and for skin diseases accompanied by itching. - Naphthol-vasogen, Vasogenum naphtholatum (10%), is used for eczema of parasitic origin, dry seborrhea, ringworm, pityriasis versicolor, pediculosis, and scabies. - Salicyl-vasogen, Vasogenum salicylatum (10%), is used for chronic articular rheumatism in the form of rubbing 2–3 times a day, followed by the application of a bandage.