MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 55 



tissues, combining with the bases, destroying the protoplasm, and 

 are very diffusible. 



Sulphuric, carbonizes, stains tissues black. 



Nitric, stains tan or yellow. 



Hydrochloric, leaves a whitish film. 



Nitric, promotes secretion. 



Sulphuric, lessens secretion. 



Hydrochloric, acts between the two. 



Nitro-hydrochloric acid acts especially well in treating dys- 

 pepsia, as it combines the action of both acids, stimulates the liver 

 and aids stomach digestion by virtue of its hydrochloric acid. 



Aromatic Sulphuric Acid. — Is especially good in indigestion, 

 accompanied by diarrhoea on account of its astringent action and 

 the aromatics which it contains. 



To the mouth of ducts having an acid secretion, they check 

 the flow, to those of alkaline secretion they promote it. 



Fermentation is stopped by the mineral acids. Bowels are 

 constipated by sulphuric, and relaxed by nitric acid. As they are 

 synergistic to pepsin they at first aid digestion, but if continued 

 long they lessen the production of gastric juice and so impair' 

 digestion. Given before meals in small doses they relieve exces- 

 sive acidity of the stomach, by checking production of the acid 

 gastric juice. 



Poisoning by them is treated by alkalies as carbonate or bi- 

 carbonate of soda, magnesia, chalk, and soap, to neutralize the 

 acid. Empty the stomach first (when possible) then give demul- 

 cents as oil, albumen, milk, etc., to protect the mucous surfaces. 

 If prostrated give stimulants, aq. ammon. intravenously, etc. 

 Do not use water in antidotal agents for sulphuric acid. 



Therapy in General. — They are used in : 



i. Atonic dyspepsia, best treated with hydrochloric acid 

 after meals ; also combined with pepsin. 



2. Acidity of the stomach, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids 

 before meals. 



3. Low fevers, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids. 



4. Oxaluria, nitric, or nitro-muriatic acids. 



5. Chronic liver disorder, nitro-hydrochloric acid. 



6. Diarrhoea and dysentery, when with profuse secretions, 

 use the sulphuric or aromatic sulphuric acid with opium. 



