Internally, also, the acid is an anti septic of no mean value; the salts also in proportion; though the best, when desired to exhibit for this purpose alone, is undoubtedly the benzoate of bismuth, which contains about 2d per cent. of the acid, and if desired may be given in quite large doses, even larger than those here indicated. Either the acid or this salt in medicinal doses is comparatively in nocuous. As an antipyretic, too, benzoic acid has won some reputation, and it is as infinitely to be preferred for this pur pose over salicylic acid as are its salts above those of the latter.
In the treatment of cystitis, with alka line or ammoniacal urine, the acid has won golden opinions, though here its ammonium salt is generally preferred as being more active and less likely to dis turb the stomach.
In conditions of urinary alkalinity short of phosphatic cystitis, ammonium benzoate is very beneficial, the condition of irritability of the bladder or inconti nence of urine associated with an alka line urinary reaction being almost in variably relieved by its administration. (Foster.) It is said to sometimes act very hap pily in acute gonorrhea, but it must be admitted that it is a somewhat uncertain remedy. The bismuth salt may, how ever, substitute other bismuth prepara tions in preparing injections.
Benzoate of lithia is very soluble in water and has been recommended in painful arthritic affections of the joints. Clement prefers it to either the salic ylate or carbonate. It is an excellent diuretic, and certainly is often useful in the management of chronic gouty or rheumatic conditions. Its use has also been proposed in the management of urremic cases, while it may be of service in relieving local manifestations: in the main, it is not to be depended upon.
Benzoate of sodium is the most widely employed of all the salts, that of lithia, perhaps, excepted,—probably, as before remarked, because it more nearly re sembles benzoic acid in physiological action. Bucholtz claims that it even surpasses the acid as an antizymotic.
It is an excellent diuretic which stim ulates the mucous membranes in general, except those of the liver, and it tends to increase and promote organic ex change. It. is frequently indicated in uric and hippurie diatheses, in general, and in gouty affections. It is to be
recommended equally in subacute and chronic rheumatisms, and some authors appear to have employed it with equal success in acute rheumatism. In the chronic variety it is well to associate it with the salts of lithia, with which we have had most excellent results. Von Renterghem and Laura (Dosimetric Mcd. Review, Oct., '97).
Sodium benzoate has a positive ence in preventing alkaline fermentation in urine. Of a number of samples of urine exposed to the air of the laboratory fur several days, none became alkaline. The effect of benzoic acid does not reetly increase the normal acid of the urine, but the ammoniacal fermentation is prevented and the normal acidity asserts itself. The beneficial effects tained in many cases of cystitis. where there is no ammoniaeal fermentation and no residual urine, would indicate that this substance has an antiseptic or germicidal action. This influence. ever, is not exerted on all forms of teria. The diuretic action of the stance is inconstant. W. W. Ashhurst Med. Jour., Feb. 24, 1900).
It has been employed, more especially in Germany and Scandinavia, in the management of certain infectious dis eases, notably mumps, whooping-cough, measles, scarlatina, and diphtheria, and even claimed, when the administration is begun prior to the period of incuba tion, to be a prophylactic to all. But the evidence adduced is of a somewhat flimsy character and requires better firmation. Lutzerich and Klein used it in conjunction with calcium sulphide in diphtheria, with apparently most able results: but those who have had 1 much experience in treating this mal ady realize how unsafe it is to draw de ductions of a positive character from results accruing to a few cases in one epidemic.
Follicular Tonsillitis. — In affections of the throat it is used extensively. It is especially valuable in follicular ton sillitis.
In 100 cases of acute follicular ton sillitis 4 to 15 grains of benzoate of sodium were given every one or two hours. The duration of the disease was shortened from twelve to thirty-six hours instead of lasting two to five days, as is usually the ease, In some instances the white, cheesy points disappeared in eight to ten hours. L. C. Boisliniere (St. Louis Courier of Mcd., Feb., 'SS).