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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    a very superficial and scarcely noticeable scar remaining. Atonic Ulcers, particularly of a venereal character, are much improved by the applica- tion of trichloracetic acid as a stimulant. Diseases of the Nose.—Ehrman {Wiener Med. Blatter, March 20, 1890) applies a moist crystal to Intra-nasal Hypertrophies by means of a silver probe, which is then rubbed over the part which it is desired to cauterize. The tissues are whitened by the acid ; the eschar separates within a week's time. The agent is of the same character of causticity as chromic acid, but according to this writer is more manageable. O. F. Brown {Amer. Rhinological Assn., 1886) has also invited attention to this caustic. J. W. Gleitsman {Med. Record, 1891, 312) speaks highly of it. He prefers an aluminium rod, which is so fashioned that a cup-shaped depression exists at the free end, to any other form of applicator. The excavation is filled with the crystals. The pain arising from the use of the acid is insignificant, and can be readily controlled by a ten per cent, solution of cocaine. The caustic is remarkable for the dryness and compactness of the eschar, which is thrown off at a period varying from two to seven days. The agent has been used successfully in all forms of nasal and pharyngeal hypertrophy, as well as in aural polypi. ACIDUM ACETICUM. Acetic Acid. The acetic acid of the U. S. Ph. is really a solution of acetic acid in water, containing 36 per cent, of absolute acetic acid. The acetic acid of the Ph. Br. is also a solution in water, containing 33 per cent, of absolute acetic acid. In the Ph. Br., malt vinegar (acetum) is official, and contains from four to five per cent, of absolute acetic acid. Vinegar is not official in the U. S. Ph., but in its stead is diluted acetic acid, containing six per cent, of absolute acetic acid. Acetic acid is six times as strong as is diluted acetic acid. Acetic acid was formerly commonly called « No. 8 Acetic Acid, because, until a late revision of the U. S. Ph., diluted acetic acid was made by diluting one measure of acetic acid by seven measures of water, and the result was a liquid about equal in acetic acid strength to vinegar. According to Squibb the No. S acetic acid is commonly sold, whether demanded or not, both in the arts and for medicinal and dietetic purposes. He found it to vary from 22 to 32 per cent, in strength. There is also official, glacial acetic acid, which is nearly or quite absolute acetic acid. The formula for glacial acetic acid is HCgHgOj. Pyroligneous acid of the U. S. Ph. is crude acetic acid, and contains, in addition to a proportion of absolute acetic acid, creosote and empyreumatic oils. Vinegar enters into composition of St. John Long's Liniment. AciDUM ACETICUM DiLUTUM. Diluted Acetic Acid. Diluted acetic acid is disinfectant, hsemostatic, solvent, and mildly excitant. The effect upon the mucous membranes of the throat and nose is to increase the determination of blood to the parts, and to insure activity of the secretions (Rossbach).