116 INORGANIC AGENTS 



It is not poisonous to higher animals, and liberates oxygen 

 immediately in the presence of oxidizable matter, thus 

 destroying all bacteria and organized ferments. 



The microbicidal action is transient and not persistent; 

 only water remains. Therefore hydrogen dioxide is useless 

 for the production of continuous antiseptic action. The 

 drug is an antiseptic in the digestive tract, and some oxygen 

 may be absorbed by the blood, but this is extremely doubt- 

 ful. The ojfficial solution contains 10 volumes of oxygen ; 

 that is, it yields up 10 times its bulk of oxygen gas. Most 

 proprietary preparations are stronger, and contain 12 

 volumes of oxygen, and are more powerfully disinfectant. 



Hydrogen peroxide is particularly valuable as an anti- 

 septic on suppurating and septic wounds, necrosed tissue, 

 abscess cavities, sinus', ulcers, morbid growths and suppur- 

 ating mucous membranes. It is commonly employed in 

 full strength and only in glass, porcelain, or hard rubber 

 vessels or instruments. The drug should not. be used in 

 cavities where an outlet for the free escape of gas is wanting. 

 Peroxide of hydrogen decomposes pus with effervescence, 

 and thus is a guide to its presence or absence ; it also 

 destroys the pus cocci. 



Hydrogen dioxide is a safe and efficient agent in disin- 

 fecting drinking water, and is of some value in gastric 

 fermentative indigestion. 



SECTION II. 



Alkaline Metals — Potassium, Sodium, Ammonium, Lithium. 



Potassium. 



Potassium is not used in medicine in the metallic state. 

 Its compounds may be considered in three groups : 1. Potassa. 

 2. The Carbonates (acetate and citrate). 3. The Mineral 

 Salts. 



Potassium compounds were formerly obtained from 

 wood ashes by lixiviation ; from sea water by evaporation, 



