MINERAL ACID (in :Medicine). An acid not of animal or vegetable origin. Th, (military mineral acids are sulphuric (oil of vitriol), nitric (aqua fortis), hydrochloric (muriatie), nitrohydrochloric. and phosphoric. In their medicinal action they have many properties in common.
The strong acids are escharotie, abstracting the waters of the tissues, combining with the albumin and other bases, and destroying the protoplasm. They are very diffusible. Sulphuric and phosphoric acid have a strong affinity for water. completely decomposing tissues to nhich they are applied; they are therefore powerfully eseharotie. SuIpluirie acid makes a black eschar, while nitric and hydrochloric acid turn the tis sues yellow.
These acids diluted produce a peculiar taste in the mouth and a sensation of roughness on the teeth. They stimulate the flow of saliva from the parotid and submaxillary glands. They promote the alkaline secretions of the intestines and of glandular organs (bile, etc.). hut check the secretions of acid fluids, as the gastric juice. Given before meals, in small d ()SCA, they relieve undue acidity of the stomach by checking the production of the acid gastric juice. At first they aid digestion, being helpful to the action of pepsin. but if continued they impair digestion by the production of the gastric juice. They check fermentation and constipate the bowels, except nitric acid, which relaxes them. They are all astringent to the tissues, hydro chloric being the weakest and sulphuric the strongest in this respect.
Antidotes for poisoning by these acids are: alkalies, such as bicarbonate of soda, lime water, or plaster front a wall mixed with water to neutralize the acid; oil. albumin, and milk to
protect the mucous membranes. For stimulants, opium and ;Ammonia (intravenously) may be used to eonnteraet the resulting depression of the vital powers.
All these mineral acids, if well diluted, are useful in fevers. especially in typhoid. Hydro chloric is here preferable. Nitric. is the acid gen erally preferred as a caustic. its action being effectual and supertieial; it moray be applied un diluted to phagedenic ulcers and sloughs. warty growths. and indolent sores. Dilute nitric. and nitrohydroehlorie acids are used intern:illy in oxaluria and lithamda, intermittent and remit tent fevers.and aphonia of singers. and in chronic hepatic disorders due to malaria. Sulphuric acid. dilute, is appropriate in eases of hemor rhage, diarrinea, eolliquative sweating... and as a prophylactic against lead poisoning: it is used also as an :Will I Irink in fevers and before meals in acidity of the stomach. Phosphoric acid is eonsidcred of xluv ial value in tissue waste. and it is thought to diminish the growth of osseous tumors. and to dissolve phosphatie deposits. All these acid: net. injuriously on the teeth, by at the '('hey should always be in in is b•red la rgely diluted. taken flnrough straw or glass tube; and the mouth should be thoroughly rinsed at mire with an alkaline wash. See Nirtur Acto: livintocimmuc Act!).