. UNTOWARD EFFECTS. — Though Gau cher insists that it would require 2 ounces, per day, administered for several days in succession, to produce dangerous symptoms, his confidence is not sup ported by genera] evidence, for it has been known, in considerably smaller doses, to induce parenchymatous ne phritis. This is especially true of its sodium salt, which is a dangerous rem edy as regards most renal maladies, and seems to possess the power of provoking malignant degeneration where a morbid process has already been set up in the kidneys. George T. Welch reports two cases in which the application of tam pons of powdered boracic acid produced general toxic symptoms: in one case the skin had a dried, "charred" appearance, and in the other there was collapse; in both there was very marked coolness of the vagina. Mododewkow chronicles a death from washing the stomach with a 2 per-cent. solution; but there are no valid grounds for believing the me dicament had anything to do with the fatality. Lemoine observed a bluish-gray line on the gums, as if from lead poison ing, in a case of epilepsy to which so dium borate had been given. Bran thomme also reports two cases suffering with carbuncle who were poisoned through the daily application of 30 grains of the acid. The symptoms had no relation to the malady, for in the one case was restlessness and a feeling of burning under the whole skin, in tense thirst, a temperature of 3S.S° C.. and the body covered with red patches; in the second case an eczematous erup tion, anorexia, and insomnia appeared. In both cases the untoward symptoms subsided immediately on withdrawal of the acid applications. What is said of the acid will, in a general way. apply to its salts.
Two eases of profuse dermatitis fol lowed the administration of boracie acid. In the first case the condition developed on three separate occasions following the administration of the drug. The patient. finally died some time after the last attack in urcemia following an alcoholic debauch. The manifestations in the sec ond case were similar to those in the first in that they followed prolonged ad ministration of boracic acid. Two forms of borax poisoning must be distin guished: one in which a large quantity of the drug is rapidly absorbed from the alimentary canal, from sonic serous or other cavity, or from an extensive raw surface, causing vomiting and diarrhoea, general depression, skin-rashes, and par tial paralysis of the nervous and mus cular systems; occasionally death. The
other class results from the administra tion of boracic acid or borax in compara tively small doses for long periods. In some of these eases the kidneys are dis eased, in others albumin appears in the urine, and in several fatal cases anemic symptoms were described. R. B. Wild (Lancet, Jan. 7, '99).
Therapeutics. — The scope of boracic acid as an antiseptic is very wide, for it has been employed in almost every conceivable surgical process: as a de tergent for painful and suppurating wounds and ulcers; as a basis for in jections and ointments of all kinds; in collyria; as an insufflation powder for the ear; to wash out irritable bladders and dilated stomachs; as an application to skin maladies.
In suppuration of the middle ear packing of the meatus with pure, im palpably-powdered boracie acid is to be preferred to insufilation; this method is safe if the ears be inflated daily. Seely (Weekly Med. Review, Mar. 10, '89).
Otorrhma is one of the most difficult to cure of all conditions affecting the ear. Boracic acid perfectly meets the indication of a non-irritant antiseptic. Bacon (Amer. Thee., June, '95).
The use of borax or boric acid as a preservative in butter and cream in the quantities specified in the recommenda tions of the English Commission is justi fied both by practical results and by scientific experimentation. The dusting of the surfaces of hams and bacon which are to be transported long distances with borax or boric acid, not exceed ing 1.5 per cent. of the weight of the meat, is effective, and not objectionable from a sanitary standpoint. Meat thus dusted with borax or boric acid does not become slimy, because the preserva tive thus used prevents the growth of aerobic, peptouizing micro-organisms. V. C. Vaughan and W. H. Vcenboer (Amer. Medicine, March 15, 1902).