318 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Oct., 



The Character and Uses of Glycozone. 

 By Cyrus Edson. M. D. 

 New York City. 



Glycozone is defined by its discoverer, Mr. Cli. Marchand, to 

 be a stable compound, resultin ^ from the chemical reaction 

 that takes place when c. p. glycerine is submitted, under cer- 

 tain conditions, to the action of fifteen times its own volume of 

 ozone, under normal atmospheric pressure at a temperature of 

 0°C. 



The necessity of using c. p. glycerine is imperative, as a pres- 

 ence of the water or other foreign matter in the glycerine causes 

 the production in the resulting compound of formic acid, gl}'-- 

 ceric acid, and other secondary products, that have a harmful 

 effect upon animal tissues. 



Glycozone has a pleasant, sweetish taste. Being hydroscopic 

 it must be kept in tightly corked bottles, and, as long as it is 

 kept in this condition, it does not deteriorate at a temperature 

 of even 110 degrees F. 



Antagonists and Incompatibles. — Glycozone, like peroxide 

 of hydrogen is a powerful oxidizing agent, although its action is 

 not as rapid or as energetic in this respect as the latter com- 

 pound. Consequently, we cannot safely prescribe it combined 

 with any other drugs or chemical substances. Contact with 

 metalic utensils decompose it. We must therefore use glass or 

 hard rubber vessels and syringes when administering it. 



Physiological Action. — When taken into the mouth and 

 stomach glycozone causes a feeling of warmth. It excites a 

 flow of saliva and stimalates the gastric secretions. Being hy- 

 droscopic it attracts to itself water from the surrounding tissues 

 but not with sufficient power to effect harm. This property is 

 due solely to the glycerine base which enters into the composi- 

 tion. In very large do-ies, one or two ounces, it causes a feel- 

 ing of distress in the epigastrium and is followed by loose, cop- 

 ious, watery stools, which are accompanied by severe cramps. 



No effect is noted on the kidneys, the liver or the heart. 

 Glycozone is undoubtedly slowly decomposed in the stomach, 

 ozone being liberated and the glycerine uniting with the water 

 from the tissues. The morbid elements with which it comes in 

 contact probably hasten this decomposition, and in so doing 



