120 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



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 vFOunds, the gaseous froth mechanically 

 removing detritus better than irrigation. It thus acts like 

 soap-suds in ordinary washing processes. Injected intra- 

 venously hydrogen dioxide causes death through the forma- 

 tion 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 continuous antiseptic action. The 

 drug is an antiseptic in the digestive tract, and some oxygen 

 may be absorbed by the blood, but this is extremely doubt- 

 ful. The official solution contains 10 volumes of oxygen; 

 that is, it yields up 10 times its bulk of oxygen gas. Most 

 proprietary preparations are stronger, and contain 12 

 volumes of oxygen, and are more powerfully disinfectant. 



Hydrogen peroxide is particularly valuable as an anti- 

 septic on suppurating and septic wounds, necrosed tissue, 

 iibscess cavities, sinus', ulcers, morbid growths and suppu- 

 rating mucous membranes. In fistulas of the withers and poll, 

 hydrogen dioxide acts as an efficient cleansing and antiseptic 

 agent, and it should be injected prior to the use of other anti- 

 septics, stimulants and caustics, as carbolic acid in glycerin 

 (see p. 329). Hydrogen dioxide is probably the best remedy 

 we possess in the treatment of acute catarrh of the pharynx 

 and tonsils in dogs and cats when applied directly to the 

 throat, diluted with two parts of lime water, with an. atom- 

 izer or brush, or on absorbent cotton on an applicator. It is 

 comimonly employed 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 hydrogen 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 efficient agent in disin- 

 fecting drinking water, and is of some value in gastric 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



