330 TOXIC AND MEDICINAL ACTIONS 



acidum sulphuricum aromaticum contains tincture of 

 ginger 10 PL ounces ; spirit of cinnamon half an ounce ; 

 alcohol (90 per cent.), 29| Fl. ounces ; and sulphuric acid 

 3 Fl. ounces. 



Its impurities nitric acid, lead, arsenic seldom interfere 

 with its medicinal uses. 



Incompatibles, alkalies, their carbonates, lead and calcium 

 salts. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Sulphuric acid is a corrosive, irritant 

 poison when given in concentrated form ; is used medicinally 

 as a refrigerant, antiseptic, and astringent ; and externally 

 as a caustic, stimulant, and astringent. In aqueous solu- 

 tion 5 to 10 per 1000 it diminishes the secretion of 

 mucous membranes, neutralises the alkalinity of the saliva, 

 bile, and pancreatic juice, and after absorption it diminishes 

 the alkalinity of the blood. It is excreted in the urine as a 

 sulphate. 



Toxic EFFECTS. Its local actions depend upon its affinity 

 for water and bases, and its coagulating albumin. Swallowed 

 in concentrated form, it almost immediately produces 

 retching, with emesis in animals that vomit. The vomited 

 matters stain and corrode, are acid, often dark, viscid, and 

 bloody, and contain shreds of mucous membrane. The 

 lips, mouth, and fauces are red, inflamed, and swollen. 

 From irritation and swelling of the throat breathing is 

 frequently difficult, and when a strong acid has been 

 swallowed by human patients, or given to rabbits experi- 

 mentally, death from suffocation has resulted in an hour, 

 or even less time (Taylor). In other cases there is great 

 abdominal pain, rapidly increasing prostration, and death 

 usually in twelve to twenty hours. The mouth, fauces, 

 gullet, and stomach exhibit brown and black stains, and 

 patches of corrosion, and there is sometimes perforation of 

 the stomach. When the acid has been diluted, and death 

 does not occur for several hours, the digestive mucous 

 membrane is softened, swollen, and inflamed, but not so 

 blackened or charred as when the acid has been concen- 

 trated, and death more rapid. Injection into the veins 

 proves fatal by coagulation of blood and thrombosis 

 (Orfila). 



