USES OF SULPHURIC ACID 331 



Sulphuric and other acids are sometimes given by grooms 

 and carters, with the idea of improving the appearance of 

 horses. Acute poisoning occasionally occurs from over- 

 doses, chronic irritation of the bowels not infrequently 

 results ; and horses which for a season have thus been 

 senselessly doctored, usually continue for months and even 

 for years thriftless, and difficult to keep in health. 



The antidotes are alkaline bicarbonates, soap, chalk, or 

 magnesia, given diluted in milk or water, in small quantity 

 at short intervals. Demulcents as milk, oil, linseed tea, 

 are subsequently administered. Where breathing is diffi- 

 cult, tracheotomy should be performed. 



MEDICINAL USES. Sulphuric acid is prescribed as a tonic, 

 astringent, and haemostatic. It is given in chronic diarrhoea 

 and dysentery, usually with laudanum in starch gruel or 

 mucilage. In influenza in horses, with a tendency to oedema, 

 or purpura, thirty drops of the medicinal acid are sometimes 

 given in gruel or ale several times a day, with an ounce each 

 of ether and powdered cinchona bark. In purpura Eobertson 

 prescribed fl\xx. to ll\xxx., with grs. xxx. iron sulphate, 

 in cold water thrice daily. In relaxed and ulcerated sore- 

 throat, a diluted solution, slowly given, exerts a beneficial 

 influence as a local astringent. Sulphuric acid checks 

 bleeding from the stomach, abates the itching of nettle-rash 

 and lichen, and is an antidote in poisoning by lead, carbolic 

 acid, and alkalies. 



Externally it may be used for cauterising irregular, sinuous, 

 and poisoned wounds, and as a styptic and astringent. 

 Three parts strong acid, thoroughly mixed with one of 

 asbestos, and rubbed to fine powder, have been used for 

 removing cancerous and other growths. It is used to 

 destroy warts, which, from their shape or situation, cannot 

 readily be removed by knife or ligature. It hastens disin- 

 tegration of necrosed bone. Mixed with linseed oil, it is 

 sometimes applied to shrink the skin and reduce umbilical 

 hernia ; but ligatures, clamps, or needles are safer and 

 more effectual. A mixture of one part in 12 to 20 of 

 alcohol is employed as an application for seborrhceic derma- 

 titis. It is occasionally added to blistering ointments, but, 

 unless in small amount, is apt to cause blemishing. A 



