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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    the dilute acid and 24 minims of glycerin to an ounce of water. The teeth would be injured by prolonged use of such a preparation. Hydro- chloric acid is but little employed in the throat or nose. It is a weak caustic—the eschar soon falling off. ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM DILUTUM. Diluted Hydrocyanic Acid. Prussic Acid. A liquid composed of two per cent, of absolute hydrocyanic acid and 98 per cent, of alcohol and water. (U. S. P.) A colorless liquid, of a characteristic odor and taste resembling those of bitter almonds, and having a slightly acid reaction, (U. S. P.) It should be kept in well stopped bottles and not exposed to the light. The preparation known as Scheele's medicinal hydrocyanic acid is two and a half times as strong as the official diluted acid,—containing as it does five per cent, of absolute hydrocyanic acid. Diseases of the Skin.—Hydrocyanic acid is employed as a sedative in Urticaria, Pruritus Vulv^, Eczema and Erythema. It is commonly applied as a lotion in the proportion of half a drachm to a drachm of the diluted acid to the ounce of water. Its effect is uncertain and variable. Its chief advantage over other antipruritic sedative applications is in its agreeable odor. It should not be employed over an abraded surface, and hence should rarely be employed in eczema and only with some cau- tion in pruritus vulvae. In Erythema Multiforme, when itching is present, the hydrocyanic acid lotion is useful, and it often relieves the annoying symptoms of Urticaria. Cyanide of potassium is sometimes employed instead of hydrocyanic acid, in ointment of the strength of six grains to the ounce of cold cream, or in lotion of the strength of two grains to the ounce of water. Diseases of the Throat.—Diluted in the strength of three drops of dilute hydrocyanic acid to a half pint of water at a temperature from 80° F. to 120° F., a preparation is obtained which is recommended by M. Mackenzie, Lefferts and Sajous as a potent sedative in the Spasmodic Irritative Cough in the first stage of Phthisis, as well as in attacks of Asthma and Hay Fever. A few inhalations will often arrest a severe paroxysm. ACIDUM LACTICUM. Lactic Acid. Lactic acid of pharmacy is a liquid composed of 75 per cent, of absolute lactic acid, and 25 per cent, of water. It is a nearly colorless, syrupy liquid, having an acid taste, and an acid reaction. (U. S. P.) Lactic acid is a caustic to highly organized tissues and a solvent for horny epithelium. It also possesses mild antiseptic properties. General Surgery.—Lactic acid was not much used as a topical application in surgery until Mosetig-Moorhof brought it into prominent