ALUMINUM SALTS 135 



ing by compression of the structures surrounding the vessels, and by 

 causing blood to clot. Alum coagulates casein and gelatin in the pres- 

 ence of an alkali. 



Action Internal. — Stomach and Intestines. — Enormous doses of alum 

 produce gastro-enteritis, while large doses cause vomiting in carnivora. 

 All the secretions are diminished in the alimentary canal, and constipa- 

 tion ensues, unless the dose is excessive. Traces of alum are said to 

 appear in the urine, but little is absorbed from the digestive tract and 

 systemic poisoning is not caused by the ingestion of alum. Intravenous 

 injection of salts of aluminum produce vomiting, weakness, tremors, 

 convulsions, paraplegia, diarrhea, and nephritis. Aluminum induces de- 

 generation of the brain and cord, and inflammation of the bowel and 

 kidneys in its elimination by these parts — like the other heavy metals. 

 Alum does not occasion any astringent action in the body outside of the 

 digestive tract, and is excreted by the bowels. 



Uses External. — Alum is employed mainly for local surgical pur- 

 poses. In arresting slight hemorrhages it may be applied in saturated 

 solution on absorbent cotton pledgets, or in the form of burnt alum dusted 

 upon the bleeding surface. Epistaxis may be controlled by the injection 

 of a strong solution into the nostrils or by insufflation of burnt alum. 

 Alum is sometimes used on granulating surfaces of indolent ulcers, or 

 wounds, as a slight caustic, stimulant and antiseptic. It can be employed 

 alone, or as follows : 



Aluminis 51. 



Carbonis ligni 3iv. 



Acidi salicylici 3ii. 



M. 



S. Apply as dusting powder on wounds, galls or 

 ulcers. 



The non-official liquor alumini acetatis is a useful astringent applica- 

 tion, as a wet dressing diluted with 7 parts of water, in septic infections 

 and boils and carbuncles. Alumen exsiccatum will often prevent the 

 escape of synovia from small punctured wounds when applied to their 

 apertures. Solutions (gr.iii.-v. to §i.) are occasionally instilled into the 

 eye in conjunctivitis, but alum is not generally so satisfactory as boric 

 acid, zinc sulphate, or silver nitrate, in this disease. Alum crystals may 

 be applied with profit to granular lids. Alum is used more frequently 

 in the treatment of stomatitis, or aphthous sore mouth. It is also benefi- 

 cial in ptyalism. A 5 per cent, solution may be utilized to touch the 

 inflamed oral parts by means of a swab. A spray of the same strength 

 is serviceable for the cure of laryngitis and bronchitis in dogs. 



A 2 per cent, solution is appropriate as an injection for otorrhea, or 

 canker of the ear, attacking dogs. A similar solution will relieve leucor- 

 rhea, pruritus vulvee, and prolapsus ani. The following combination, 

 containing dried alum, forms an excellent preparation for application to 

 dead tissue. It causes sloughing of the necrotic mass and is indicated 

 when the use of the knife is inadmissible. 



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