Conclusions as follows in regard to use of oxygen in connection with an anaesthetic: The longest term required to produce complete anaesthesia with ether and oxygen-gas (diluted) was 14 minutes; the shortest time with the same ansthetic, 7 minutes. With pure oxygen, anaesthesia with ether requires from 20 to 25 minutes, and then it will sometimes require the giving of ether with a cone and dispensing with the oxygen-gas for 2 or 3 minutes. With chloroform and oxygen-gas (diluted) the results are far more satisfactory and anaesthetization is very rapid, usually requiring about 2 or 3 minutes. I. N. de Hart (Boston Med. and Surg. Jour., Apr. 16, '96).
—Oxy gen-water is made by charging cold distilled water with oxygen-gas under pressure. It is bottled in siphons (pref erably) or other strong bottles, under a pressure of 150 to 200 pounds. When wanted for use it is drawn off by press ure from the siphon-lever, or if in bottles by means of a champagne-tap. A little nitrous-oxide gas, added to the water during the process of bottling, adds piquancy and increases its stimu lating effects.
The use of oxygen-water is advised in chronic dyspepsia, and in headaches of digestive or neuralgic origin.
Constipation due to intestinal atony is relieved by draughts of oxygen-water, swallowed quickly.
In general systemic torpor 1 or 2 tumblerfuls of oxygen-water after meals will prove beneficial.
—Stoker (Med. Press and Circ., April 17, '95) describes the local treatment of ulcers and wounds by the direct application of oxygen-gas. For this purpose he states that the oxy gen may be diluted with pure air ac cording to the requirements of each case. It is not necessary that an absolute vac uum over the parts treated should be produced. An oral rubber receptacle or cup covers the part to be treated and the gas is supplied to it from a rubber bag by means of tubing. Pure oxygen causes a great deal of pain, but some patients can stand it well.
Attention called to the triple property possessed by oxygenated water of has tening the precipitation of fibrin, of ex citing the smooth fibres, and of injuring the tissues but slightly or not at all. For these reasons it must be an excellent haemostatic for external use. If, in a case of intra-uterine haemorrhage due to fungous metritis or to interstitial fibroid, a tent covered with cotton dipped in oxygenated water at 12 volumes be in troduced into the fundus, an abundant moss will be seen to form, becoming con fluent at the external orifice, while the organ contracts on the tent and the haemorrhage is immediately arrested.
There is no pain nor modification of tissues, and the hernostasis persists long enough to enable the anaemic pa tient to recover strength and to support a radical operation later on if necessary. Paul Petit (Lyon Med., Jan. 5, '96).
For the local uses of oxygen in solu tion see HYDROGEN DIOXIDE.
OZONE.—There has always been con siderable discussion concerning the na ture of ozone, but the consensus of opin ion is that it is an allotropic or modified form of oxygen. It was discovered in 1839 by Schonbein, of Basle, who noticed that dry oxygen, or atmospheric air, when exposed to the action of a series of electric sparks, emitted a peculiar and somewhat metallic odor, resembling that of phosphorus, chlorine, or sulphur. This odorous principle (electrified oxy gen) he called ozone.
Ozone is a colorless gas, having a char acteristic odor. It is insoluble in water (pure water will absorb about 8.81 per cent. of ozone, the larger part, however, being converted by the water into oxygen without the formation of hydrogen di oxide) and in solutions of acids or alka lies, but is absorbed by a solution of potassium iodide. It is soluble in oils, some of them taking up as much as 25 volumes per cent. It exerts an irritating action on the lungs when present in any great amount in the air. Ozone is decom posed into oxygen by heat, gradually at 212° F., and instantly at 554° F. with an increase of 50 per cent. in volume.
It is a powerful oxidizing agent, and possesses strong bleaching and disinfect ing properties. It corrodes cork, rubber, and other organic substances, and rapidly oxidizes iron, copper, and even silver, when moist, as well as dry mercury and iodine. The absorption of ozone by these and other agents is not attended with any diminution of volume. Oxygen when ozonized diminishes in volume (in the proportion of 3 to 2, according to Soret); when the ozone is decomposed by a metal or other substance, one-third of it enters into combination, while the remaining two-thirds, which is set free as ordinary oxygen, occupies the same bulk as the ozone itself. Ozone may be liquefied by cold and pressure (125 at mospheres), and in that state it has an intense-blue color. Liquid ozone boils at 222.8° to 28G.2° F., and if inclosed in a glass tube changes to a blue gas, which again reverts to the liquid state upon being cooled.