ACIDUM SULPHURICUM — SULPHURIC ACID 36T 



It has been claimed by some that tbis acid is a hepatic stimulant 

 but it is generally believed to exert nothing more than an acid action. 



ACIDUM PHOSPHORICUM — PHOSPHORIC ACID 



Phosphoric acid U. S. P. is a colorless liquid containing not less 

 than 85 per cent, nor more than 88 per cent, of phosphoric acid. 

 It is prepared by burning phosphorus, dissolving the resulting oxides 

 in water and completing the oxidation with nitric acid. 



Preparation. Acidum Phosphoricum Dilutum. Diluted phos- 

 phoric acid. Not less than 9.5 per cent, nor more than 10.5 per 

 cent, by weight of phosphoric acid. 



Doses. H. 3 j — iv; 4 — 15. D. ni iij — xxx; 0.18 — 2. 



Phosphoric acid is held by some to be less injurious to digestion 

 than the others but this is doubtful. 



ACIDUM SULPHURICUM — SULPHURIC ACID 



Synonyms. Oil of Vitriol, Vitriol 



This is a colorless, syrupy fluid containing not less than 93 per 

 cent, nor more than 95 per cent, of sulphuric acid. It acquires a 

 brownish color if exposed to dust. It is miscible in all proportions 

 with alcohol and water but the mixing evolves much heat and must 

 be done carefully, and by pouring the acid gradually into the water 

 or alcohol and constantly stirring the mixture. It is prepared on a 

 large scale by burning pyrites or native sulphur. The SO2 fumes 

 are oxidized by means of nitrous fumes produced by the action of 

 concentrated sulphuric acid on Chili saltpeter. The product is 

 condensed in a system of lead chambers, in the presence of steam, 

 and concentrated first in lead pans, and then distilled from glass 

 or platinum retorts. The commercial variety contains arsenic and 

 consequently must be avoided in internal medicine. Sulphuric acid 

 is very corrosive and chars organic material. 



Preparations. Acidum Sulphuricum Dilutum. Diluted Sul- 

 phuric acid. Not less than 9.5 per cent, nor more than 10.5 per cent, 

 of sulphuric acid. 



Doses. H. 3 ij— vj ; 8—24. D. TTL v— xv; 0.33—2. 



Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum. Aromatic Sulphuric Acid 

 contains about 20 per cent, of sulphur acid, alcohol, tincture of 

 Gentian and oil of cinnamon. Doses. Half those of the diluted 

 acid. It is doubtful if this preparation has any advantages over 

 the preceding. 



Action and Uses. Sulphuric acid is not often used in medi- 

 cine. 



