OZONE 159 



parturient toxaemia (milk fever) of cows, for which it is 

 regarded as a specific. 



OZONE. When electric sparks are passed through air, the 

 molecules of oxygen, represented by two atoms (0 2 ), are split 

 up, and rearranged in triatomic molecules, constituting 

 ozone (0 3 ). It is also produced by the slow oxidation of 

 phosphorus in the presence of water, and by the action of 

 protoplasm. It is unstable, being readily converted into 

 oxygen. It is distinguished by its peculiar smell, and by its 

 decomposing potassium iodide solution, and when mixed 

 with damp starch, producing the blue starch iodide. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Ozone oxidises more actively than oxy- 

 gen, destroys the coagulability of albumin, decomposes many 

 organic substances, and kills micro-organisms. In virtue of 

 its chemical actions it is a powerful irritant. When inhaled 

 it induces excitement, succeeded by exhaustion and some- 

 times by convulsions. It has been used for most of the 

 cases in which oxygen has been given, notably for the 

 destruction of bacteria in diphtheria and other similar 

 diseases (Brunton). 



HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 



LIQUOR HYDROGENII PEROXIDI HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 

 SOLUTION. An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, 

 H 2 2 , prepared by the interaction of water, barium 

 peroxide, and a dilute mineral acid at a temperature 

 below 50 Fahr. ; containing nine to eleven volumes of 

 oxygen (B.P.). 



Peroxide of hydrogen is a clear, odourless liquid, with a 

 bitter taste. It renders the saliva frothy, mixes with water 

 in any proportion, and when heated it decomposes into 

 water and oxygen. Commercial peroxide of hydrogen tends 

 to become acid on keeping, but Merck's Perhydrol, containing 

 thirty per cent, of oxygen, keeps well in the original bottles. 

 Samples of peroxide that have become acid may be neutral- 

 ised by the addition of sodium bicarbonate, or borax. 

 Hydrogen peroxide is & | ovorful nonpoisonous germicide, 

 deodorant, and haemostatic. .' pplied locally it bleaches the 



