SOLUTION OF HYDROGEN DIOXIDE 101 



Action and Usei. — Hydrogen dioxide is probably the most powerful, 

 non-toxic, surgical antiseptic and disinfectant. It is not poisonous to 

 higher animals, and liberates oxygen immediately in the presence of all 

 forms of living matter, excised organs, and drawn blood, thus destroying 

 all bacteria and organized ferments. It is, moreover, a most efficient 

 cleansing agent in wounds, the gaseous froth mechanically removing 

 detritus better than irrigation. It thus acts like soap-suds in ordinary 

 washing processes. Inj ected intravenously hydrogen dioxide causes death 

 through the formation of gas (oxygen) emboli — in its catalysis in the 

 blood — ^by plugging the heart and blood-vessels of the brain and lungs. 



The, microbicidal action is transient and not persistent ; only water 

 remains. Therefore hydrogen dioxide is useless for the production of con- 

 tinuous antiseptic action. The drug is an antiseptic in the digestive tract, 

 and some oxygen may be absorbed by the blood, but this is extremely 

 doubtful. The official solution contains 10 volumes of oxygen; that is, it 

 yields up 10 times its bulk of oxj'gen gas. Most proprietary preparations 

 are stronger, and contain 12 volumes of oxygen, and are more powerfully 

 disinfectant. 



Hydrogen peroxide is particularly valuable as an antiseptic on sup- 

 purating and septic wounds, necrosed tissue, abscess cavities, in anaerobic 

 infections (tetanus), sinuses, ulcers, morbid growths and suppurating 

 mucous membranes. It is well to add a little sodium bicarbonate to 

 hydrogen peroxide, to neutralize its acidity, before using on mucous mem- 

 branes or raw surfaces. Gauze saturated with it is used as packing to 

 stop bleeding, as in epistaxis. In fistulae of the withers and poll, hydro- 

 gen dioxide acts as an efficient cleansing and antiseptic agent, and it 

 should be injected prior to the use of other antiseptics, stimulants and 

 caustics, as carbolic acid in glycerine (see p. 248). Hydrogen dioxide is 

 probably the best remedy we possess in the treatment of acute and mem- 

 branous inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils in dogs and cats when 

 applied directly to the throat, diluted with two parts of lime water, with 

 an atomizer or brush, or on absorbent cotton on an applicator. To retain 

 its germicidal action it should not be diluted with more than 1 or 2 parts 

 of water. Typhoid bacilli were killed in two and one-half minutes by a 

 50-per-cent. solution (U. S. Hygienic Laboratory). It is commonly 

 employed on wounds 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 hydro- 

 gen 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 eificient agent in disinfecting drink- 

 ing water, and is of some value in gastric fermentative indigestion of 

 dogs where the vomitus and feces show evidence of gas formation or 

 frothiness, -and is absolutely safe. Recently good results have been re- 

 ported from the use of hydrogen dioxide, diluted with three parts of lime 

 water, in dysentery when given as high enemata twice daily. 



As substitutes for hydrogen peroxide we have the more stable, non- 

 irritating and alkaline powders, as sodium perborate and zinc peroxide. 



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