Turpentine, according to Hohler and Schimpf, when exposed some time to the air becomes rich in ozone, and pre- .1 vents fatty degeneration. Theoretically, it is thus capable of neutralizing the effects of phosphorus: a power which has als_o been demonstrated practically. ..-kndant found that it arrested the vapor of phosphorus in the dark. The ordi nary American oil of turpentine is of no value, however, unless it be long exposed to the air. It is to be administered in ternally and by inhalation. Potassium permanganate is also a valuable antidotal agent. The general health should be carefully watched and every means used to facilitate increased nutrition by the use of tonics and easily-digested foods.
In the stage of ulceration antiseptic washes as warm as possible should be fre quently used. A weak permanganate-of potassium solution is particularly valu able in this connection, when syringed into the sinuses. This being done, iodo form gauze can be packed in to absorb secretions to avoid their mixture with food. Sequestra should be removed when free, and the cavity packed. Mears ad vises that, when the lower jaw is involved, but half of the ramus should be removed at one time, to preserve the contour of the parts. After the expiration of eight or ten weeks the remaining portion may be removed.
New method of operating in the treat ment of phosphorus necrosis of the lower jaw. Two sittings are required for opera tion. In the first operation an incision is made along the lower border of the jaw, by IA 'rich all the soft parts, includ ing the periosteum, are incised to the bone; the periosteum is completely de tached, together with the osteophytie layer, until the necrosed bone remains bare. A very thin layer of iodoform gauze is then introduced between the bone and the periosteum. Five weeks later the necrotic bone is excised. Dur ing this time the periosteum bas become a firm bony capsnle, which has the shape of the jaw, so that outline of the maxilla is preserved after the removal of the se questrum. K. Jervell (Norsk 11-Iag. for Lmgevid., 'S9).
Case of phosphorus necrosis of the left snperior maxilla, in which the necrosed jaw was successfully removed by sub periosteal and intrabuceal operation. Fusel (Riforma Med., Apr. 27, '91).
Value of hydrogen peroxide extolled in the treatment of alveolar necrosis of jaws. Cassel (Deut. med. Wadi., p. 554, '89).
When the patient cannot avoid ex posure to phosphorus-fumes, the pre ventive measures should consists in free ventilation, absolute cleanliness, espe cially of the mouth and hands, and dis engagement of the vapor of turpentine in working-rooms. Cloths may be soaked in this substance and spread out close to where the exposed subject is working.
JEQUIRITY.—Jequirity is the Bra zilian name given to the seeds of the Abrus precatorius. Abrus, or wild lico rice, one of the leguminosse, is a climbing shrub indigenous to India, but now naturalized elsewhere in the tropics. The seeds, or beans, are small, nearly round, of a bright-red color, with a black spot at the hilum, are inodorous, and have a slight bean-like taste. They are em ployed in India as a standard weight (about 1 V, grains). Warden and -Wad dell, of Calcutta, claim that the seeds are inert when taken whole into the stom ach. The seeds contain abric acid and an albuminoid active principle (abrin), which is composed of paraglobin and alpha-phytalbumose, which closely re semble snake-venom in their action, though less powerful. Abrin occurs as a brownish-yellow powder, soluble in cold water and in glycerin. It is precipitated from aqueous and glycerin solutions by alcohol. Abrin is a powerful cardiac poison. The root of the plant is official in the Pharmacopceia of India as a sub stitute for licorice.
Physiological Action.—Klein has shown that the poisonous properties of jequirity cannot be due to a bacillus, while Warden and Waddell found it to be due to the action of a poisonous pro teid. The proteids in the seeds are two in number: a globulin and an albumose. S. Martin and R. N. Wolfenden found that globulin produces local wdema and inflammation when subcutaneously in jected or applied to the eye (with post mortem petechim beneath the serous membranes), and limmorrhagic gastro enteritis. It also causes a remarkable fall of body-temperature after subcutaneous injection, and in lethal doses it causes rapidity of breathing shortly before death. It has little or no effect on blood pressure. The activity of this globulin is destroyed by heating the solution to 75° or SO° F.: the temperature at which it enters into a condition of heat-coagu lum. Martin also found that the symp toms produced by the albumose closely resemble those noticed when the globulin is hypodermically injected. There is gradually - increasing weakness, with rapid breathing and lowering of body temperature, but no convulsions or pa ralysis. It also causes severe conjunc tivitis when applied to the eye. Its poisonous properties are lessened by heating at 70° to 75° F., and completely cicstroN, ti at S3" p. The ;libitum:0 is not, 1 so pm% erf tit a toxic agent as the the dose netessary to produce th, stine effects being larger. A sinii larit bc mein the action of the proteids aud those of other poisonous substances a the same class, especially those in snake-1.1.1min. sti._!grested.