ACTION OF ACIDS 207 



tion of bites inflicted by rabid animals^ and for the treatment of foul, 

 sloughing wounds or foot-rot. 



The action of nitric acid may be limited by surrounding the part to 

 which the strong acid is applied with oil, or by washing the acid off with 

 soapsuds. Glacial acetic acid is frequently employed to remove warts 

 and small excrescences. It is not so powerful as sulphuric or nitric acid. 

 The acids in weak solution (3i.-0i.) are useful in relieving irritation of 

 the skin, as in urticaria, for their astringent action upon piles, and to 

 stop slight hemorrhages. Vinegar diluted with 3 parts of water may be 

 used for the same purposes. Nitric acid (TT^v.-xxx. to §i. of water) is a 

 good antiseptic and astringent application to indolent ulcers, wounds, or, 

 in the mouth, for ulcerative or mercurial stomatitis. 



Uses Internal. — The acids are all of value in digestive disorders. 

 Hydrochloric acid is useful in fever, to relieve thirst and aid digestion, 

 when a few drops may be put in the drinking water. Hydrochloric acid 

 is especially indicated for gastric indigestion with deficiency in the secre- 

 tion of gastric juice, in convalescence, and for fermentation and tym- 

 panites in chronic gastritis. This applies to chronic tympany with diar- 

 rhea in cattle when one to two drams may be given in the drinking water 

 twice daily with salt and powdered nux vomica on the feed. Hydrochloric 

 acid should be given after feeding, and is often combined with bitters. It 

 acts as an antiseptic in addition to aiding digestion. Hypersecretion of 

 hydrochloric acid, or hyperchlorhydria, is said to be characterized by 

 acid reaction of the secretion in the mouth, and a desire to .lick alkaline 

 earthy matters. It is best treated by alkalies after feeding. All the 

 acids are serviceable in the treatment of diarrhea and intestinal indiges- 

 tion. Aromatic sulphuric acid (with opium) is more particularly valuable 

 as a remedy for watery purging. Nitric and nitrohydrochloric acids are 

 of more use in diarrhea with indigestion, j aundice, and disordered hepatic 

 functions. The latter acid is often combined with nux vomica in the 

 treatment of intestinal indigestion, and is a valuable remedy in catarrhal 

 jaundice of dogs. The mineral acids are of service in preventing the 

 formation of phosphatic calculi in horses. 



Sulphuric acid is utilized in acute lead poisoning, as an antidote, to 

 form insoluble sulphates in the bowels. The acids are given for their 

 remote astringent action in arresting or preventing hemorrhage (purpura) 

 from internal organs, and in diminishing excessive sweating and mucous 

 discharges; but are inferior to other agents in the treatment of these 

 conditions. 



Administration. — The acids should be all thoroughly diluted with 

 water for internal use. 



AciDUM PicRicuM. Picric Acid. CoH2(N02)30H. (Non-Official.) 



Synonym. — Acidum carbazoticum, carbazotic or nitrophenisic acid, trinitro- 

 phenol, E.; acide picrique, carbazotique, nitroxanthique, Jaune-amer, Fr. ; pikrin- 

 silure, trinitrocarbolsaure, welter'sches bitter, G. 



Derivation. — Picric acid is made by mixing together equal parts of phenol 

 and sulphuric acid and adding, to the resulting phenolsulphonic acid, nitric acid 

 in a thin stream with constant stirring as long as nitrous fumes are given off. 



Properties. — Picric acid occurs in bright yellow, inodorous scales or needles 

 and, on being rapidly heated, will explode. It is soluble in 86 parts of water at 



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