A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    is carried on a dossil of cotton which is firmly wrapped upon a cotton carrier. The parts become instantly white from the coagulation of the albumin in the tissue. Pungent pain with lachrymation ensues which lasts for a few moments only. A second application should not be made until the first eschar falls off; the time for this varies, but is usually about three days. Owing to the diffusive character of acetic acid it is a difficult agent to manage in making application to the posterior ends of the turbinals. Otitis Media has been known io ensue upon its too free employment. Equal parts of glacial acetic acid and carbolic acid form the basis of inhalation in Acute Coryza (M. A. Fritsche, Berlin, Klin. Wochenschrift, 1887, No. 27). The same writer employs the drug alone in the proportion of two parts of the acid to twelve of water. Glacial acetic acid m the strength of ten drops to an ounce of water can be used as an agent to immediately follow an application of caustic potash to prevent its over action. The danger of the too free use of stronger forms of acetic acid in the throat may be illustrated by the following accident. A boy aged two years swal- lowed a mouthful of vinegar essence, which was instantly followed by painful deglutition and vomiting on swallowing food. The pharynx, mouth, and larynx became swollen ; the latter was covered with punctiform extravasations which were especially numerous on the epiglottis. The child recovered. Pyroligneous Acid. A dark brown liquid having a strong smoky smell. It consists essentially of acetic acid diluted with more or less water, and holding in solution chiefly tar and empyreumatic oil, with pyroxilic spirit and probably a small proportion of creasote. It is made by the de- structive distillation of wood. Diseases of the Skin.—Containing both acetic acid and creasote, pyroligneous acid possesses the properties of both these substances in the treatment of diseases of the skin. It has been employed successfully in the treatment of Pruritus, particularly Pruritus of the Scrotum, being used in a diluted condition (i to 30) at first and gradually strengthened. It is soluble in water and in glycerin, or may be used in ointment (Piffard, Mat. Med. and Ther. of the Skin,'' p. 10). Its use in Psoriasis has been recommended (Jarisch, Med. Jahrb., 1878, p. 511), but is not to be undertaken without caution, as absorption and poisoning may take place if used over too large a surface. ACIDUM ARSENIOSUM. When the names arsenic and white arsenic are used in medical treatises, acidum arseniosum is the product referred to. It is freely soluble in from 30 to 80 parts of water at 15° C. (59° F.) and in 15 parts of boiling water, in hydrochloric acid, the alkalies and their carbonates, but sparingly soluble in alcohol and glycerin.