In an emergency vinegar is useful for disinfecting the hands and the region operated upon. L. Furst (Dent. Aerzte Zeit., June 15, 1900).
Acetic acid is frequently used as a stimulant. When inhaled its stimu lating effects upon the nervous supply of the nasal mucous membrane causes it to sometimes act rapidly in restoring consciousness after fainting. In the same manner it may also arrest vomiting and headaches of nervous origin.
Vinegar as a remedy against vomiting in chloroform narcosis. Handkerchief moistened with vinegar applied to the nostrils and permitted to remain until patient returns to consciousness. War holm (Univ. Med. Jour., Dee., '93).
As an escharotic it is often used on corns, warts, condylomata, and fungous growths. The glacial acetic acid should be used for this purpose.
Skin Diseases. — Acetic acid is useful in many disorders of the skin. In alo pecia it has been used with advantage as a vesicant.
When alopecia is extensive the scalp should be shaved and acetic acid, in greater or less proportion, mixed with equal parts of chloroform and ether, ap plied. Or Besnier's formula may be employed:— I; Chloral hydratis, 75 grains. ]theris, 6 drachms.
Acid. acetic. cryst., 15 to 75 grains.
H. These applications are repeated two or three times a week at first and later at longer intervals.
Between-times a stimulating oil—as of eucalyptus and turpentine, of each, 'A ounce; crude petroleum and alcohol, of each, I ounce—is applied. This is to be followed by a thorough massage of the scalp for five minutes by the patient. Once a week, or oftener, the scalp is to be thoroughly shampooed with tincture of green soap. :Morrow (Jour. of Cut. and Genito-Urin. Dis., Oct., '91).
In rodent ulcer and lupus vulgaris acetic acid is of use; but in the latter affection the benefit is only temporary.
In eleven out of twelve cases ulcus rodens observed the ulcer was situated upon the lower lid. Treatment, by means of daily applications of a 75-per cent. solution of acetic acid and subse quent rinsing with water, followed by good results. \Vaguer (Griife's Archie f. Oph., B. 33, Ab. 3, '91).
In rodent ulcer. Cure of a young girl attacked with vitiligo of the body and alopecia of the scalp, in which the treat ment consisted of two applications of acetic acid, together with stimulating lotions (tincture of rosemary. Van Swie ten's solution, and tincture of canthar ides). Feulard (Le Bull. MM., Jan. 15,
'93).
Diseases of the Nose and Throat.— Acute coryza is sometimes arrested by the inhalation of acetic acid.
Glacial acetic acid is useful in pre venting the development of hay fever by applications to the nasal mucous mem brane twice per week. In practically all cases, however, the applications must be renewed each year. (Sajous.) In hypertrophic rhinitis it may also be used in the same way; but chromic acid is more effective.
In tubercular laryngitis it has good results in arresting ulceration. The ulcers are first scraped and the acid is then applied with a laryngeal applicator.
ACETONURIA.—Acetone = dimethylketone = is a thin, watery, very movable, odorless liquid of neutral reaction. It has a curious aro matic odor, resembling somewhat that of acetic ether or of oil of peppermint. It is soluble in water, in alcohol and ether in all proportions; evaporates at ordinary temperatures; boils at 56.5° C.; and has a specific gravity of 0.81. Acetone can be obtained by the distillation of acetate of barium. Oxidation of acetone causes the formation of acetic acid and formic acid. As a product of metabolism, it was discovered by Petters, in 1857, in the urine of a diabetic patient.
Acetone is found in the urine of healthy individuals in quantities not ex ceeding 10 milligrammes per day, which, during starvation (Mfiller), can increase.. to 780 milligrammes per day. In some diseases it increases to 0.2 to 0.5 gramme daily. By distilling the urine examined, acetone can be obtained in a purer state, although still united with other volatile constituents of the urine.
Physiological and Pathological Ex cretion of Acetone. — Pathological ace tonuria is observed (1) in fevers, (2) in diabetes, (3) in some forms of carcinoma. which have not as vet induced inanition, (4) in psychoses, (5) in autointoxications, and (6) in different disorders of the digestion. Lorenz observed acetonuria and excretion of acetone with the fieces and the vomited matter in a case of peritonitis. In fevers acetonuria is con stantly observed, and in the fevers of children as well (Baginsky). In cases of diabetes, acetonuria occurs when the dis ease has continued for a long time, and especially when the patients are put on an exclusive diet of proteids or proteids and fat, or when the allowance of food is not sufficient to maintain the equilib rium of metabolism.