SULPHURIC ACID, Medical Properties of. This, which is regarded as the most potent of the mineral acids, is never taken internally in a concentrated state except by accident, or with the intention to commit suicide or murder. In such cases it acts as a violent corrosive poison, causing complete disorganisation of the tissues it cornea in contact with, its course being obvious from the black and charred state of the parts. This effect it Is thought to produce from its strong affinity to water, depriving the tissues of its elements, and leaving the carbon free. This peculiarity distinguishes poisoning by it from the other mineral acids. Notwithstanding the extensive destruc tion of important organs, such as the stomach, immediate death rarely results from it, but the patient lingers sometimes for days, and in some eases ultimately recovers.
Sulphuric acid is sometimes employed in an undiluted state as a caustic application to the bites of rabid animals, or to destroy warts or portions of the eyelids in entropium and ectropium.
In a considerably diluted state, if It be applied to the skin, it occasion,' a painful impression, followed by numbness and a contraction of the parts, and even whiteness, owing to the diminished calibre of the capillaries. But shortly the efflux of blood to the part recurs, and soon increases, so that the action of the vascular system appears to become more developed than before. As it is presumable that a similar series of actions takes place when received in a diluted form into the stomach, by bearing these phenomena in mind it is possible to explain its therapeutic influence in many of the cases where it is used.
Taken internally in a diluted but still strong state, it makes a powerful impression on the stomach, followed by an instantaneous sympathetic chill of the whole system : hence its power in checking Haemorrhage long before its particles can be received into the circula tion and constringe the vessels by immediate contact with their sides.
From the same cause it acts as a useful refrigerant in fevers and other inflammatory diseases when the animal temperature is too high. In many of the transient diseases of the skin attended with much heat and itching a solution of sulphate of magnesia, with an addition of dilute acid, quickly relieves them. It has also been given at a late stage of typhus in some mild diluent, such as barley-water. In combination with cinchona, it is of decided utility in purpura keemor rhagiea. Nothing save oxide of zinc so certainly checksthe colliquative sweats which attend hectic fever as the compound infusion of roses. In chronic diarrhcea and dysentery it is also sometimes of service. Htemorrhoidal 'fluxes are often restrained by its use. In some forms of dyspepsia it is a valuable tonic, and may be longer persevered with than any other mineral acid except phosphoric. In calculous diseases with a phosphatic diathesis, it is much to be commended, front the length of time it Can be used. In such cases it is best given in infusion of camomile made with cold water. It is employed largely diluted as a gargle in the sore-throat of scarlet fever. Many cases of cutaneous diseases have been cured by the internal use of sulphuric acid. The aromatic sulphuric acid, called elixir of vitriol, has more tonic properties than the simple acid. A few drops of it, ten or twelve, in a cup of cold water, relieve very certainly the squeamishness of the stomach which is felt in the morning after an excess of wine. In case of poisoning by sulphuric acid, lime-water, calcined magnesia, or plaster from the wall, or a solution of soap, should instantly be given.
The ungaentam acidi salphurici is a most effectual application in obstinate cases of itch. It chars the linen.