206 INORGANIC AGENTS 



blood depends not only upon alkalies but also on protein, urea, and other 

 nitrogenous bodies. 



Acid is absorbed from the digestive tract as acid salts and in this 

 form is eliminated by the kidneys, which may lead to renal irritation 

 and the presence of albumin and blood in the urine. 



The urine of herbivora therefore becomes strongly acid and contains 

 large quantities of the salts of the alkalies ; that of carnivora holds an 

 excess of ammonia and — to a less degree — an increase in potassium and 

 sodium salts. 



The organic acids are also absorbed as salts of the alkalies but medic- 

 inal quantities do not reduce the alkalinity of the blood or render the 

 urine acid. Large amounts may cause acute acidosis as from inorganic 

 acids. 



They are oxidized into carbonates in the blood and may alkalize the 

 urine by their elimination as alkaline carbonates. The vegetable salts are 

 infrequently used in veterinary medicine. The effect of the mineral acids 

 on the body is due almost wholly to their hydrogen ion, to which they owe 

 their activity. Acids in excess in thfe body are a cause of urticaria. 



Diluted phosphoric acid relieves thirst and forms an agreeable cool- 

 ing drink in fevers. Phosphoric acid is used as a tonic and reconstituent, 

 but experiments have shown that phosphorus compounds of the body can 

 not be built from inorganic forms of phosphorus. 



Poisoning. — If acid be spilled on the skin, alkalies should be applied, 

 and in case of sulphuric acid the excess of acid should first be rubbed 

 off, and then large quantities of very dilute alkaline solutions or soap- 

 suds should be employed to avoid evolution of heat when the acid com- 

 bines with water. When acids are swallowed, there is excoriation and 

 sloughing of mucous membranes, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting of 

 dark brown material and mucus (in animals capable of the act), severe 

 colic, pain on movement, constipation, or, rarely, bloody diarrhea. Occa- 

 sionally some acid flows into the larynx during deglutition and edema 

 and suffocation rapidly ensue. There is inflammation of the upper part 

 of the digestive canal, thirst, and collapse, with weak pulse and cold 

 extremities. Softening, sloughs, hemorrhage and perforation of the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth, gullet and stomach and small intestines 

 are found post mortem. 



Treatment. — Soapsuds, lime water, magnesia, or other alkalies. 

 Carbonates may be dangerous from escape of too much COj gas and 

 rupture of stomach. Demulcents, as milk and white of egg. Opium and 

 stimulants. Give an enema of hot sodium bicarbonate solution, or a 3.5% 

 solution of sodium carbonate, intravenously, to prevent systemic acidosis. 



Uses External. — Strong mineral acids are used as caustics. One 

 part of sulphuric acid is mixed with three parts of sulphur, or asbestos, 

 to form a paste for the destruction of morbid growths. 



The application of sulphuric acid is somewhat dangerous, as it is 

 difficult to limit the action, and it is not by any means the best escharotic, 

 nor so good as nitric acid, which produces less extensive destruction of 

 tissue, and is a useful agent for the removal of tumors, for the cauteriza- 



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