Physiological action of the ozone prep arations studied in a series of experi ments on dogs. 1. When injected in the circulation in full strength,—i.e., 15 volumes per cent.,—they have a very destructive action upon the blood, thereby ultimately having the effect of reducing rather than of oxidizing agents for the tissues. 2. Acting through the stomach or intestine, they may similarly affect the blood, and in addition they destroy the gastric and intestinal mu cous membrane. 3, Given in medicinal doses by the stomach, their only benefit, if any, consists purely in their local ac tion in the alimentary canal, in possibly preventing abnormal fermentations. 4. If so used, care should be exercised, owing to the great variability in strength of different preparations. 5. Ozone is of no real value to the tissues, whether in haled or drunk in fluid preparations, and it may be exceedingly harmful. W. G. Thompson (Med. Rec., Mar., '94).
Therapeutics. — Ozone is utilized in medicine and surgery in the forms of ozonized air obtained through the use of one of the various special electrical ap paratuses or as furnished by Nature at the sea-shore, mountains, or in the pines; ozonized (?) water, prepared by charging distilled, sterilized water with ozone by means of special apparatus; or ozonized oil: oil saturated by passing ozone or ozonized oxygen through it.
Ozone is thought to be Nature's puri fier, acting by active oxidation upon de caying, putrescent organic matters, and converting them into harmless products, such as nitrous and nitric acids, water, hydrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide; but its chief value in medicine is derived from its deodorizing and disinfecting powers.
In diphtheria, croup, pertussis, variola, scarlet fever, cholera, and other infec tious diseases ozone generated in the room is said to improve the condition of the patient and minimize the contagion. Vapors of turpentine, eucalyptus, and similar substances will furnish a certain amount of ozone. Ozone disinfection of rooms after occupancy by subjects hav ing contagious diseases is, perhaps, more effectual than by other methods.