548 
ON  PERMANGANATE  OF  POTASSA. 
organic  contents  of  the  stomach,  and  the  fact  that  the  tissues 
themselves  are  acted  upon,  we  see  how  utterly  impossible  it  is 
that  any  of  the  permanganate  shall  enter  the  circulation,  there 
to  give  up  its  oxygen. 
Moreover,  as  its  color  and  taste,  when  in  solution,  are  objec- 
tionable to  most  patients,  some  practitioners  exhibit  it  in  pill, 
in  which  form  it  is,  in  most  cases,  decomposed  before  it  is  swal- 
lowed. Dr.  C.  M.  Fenn  published,  in  the  Pacific  Medical  and 
Surgical  Journal,  in  1867,  a  paper,  which  was  largely  copied, 
and  is  noticed  in  Ranking' s  Abstract,  xlvii.  18,  lauding  the  vir- 
tues of  the  permanganate  in  rheumatism,  and  giving  successful 
cases.  He  gave  half-grain  doses  in  raspberry  syrup.  He  be- 
lieves that  it  converts  lactic  into  carbonic  acid.  He  certainly 
did  not  administer  permanganate  of  potassa.  Whether  the 
black  oxide  of  manganese  and  caustic  potassa,  which  the  pa- 
tients did  swallow,  would  convert  lactic  into  carbonic  acid,  or 
otherwise  cure  rhumatism,  we  cannot  say ;  but  it  is,  at  least,  not 
probable. 
For  external  use  in  many  surgical  cases,  the  permanganate  of 
potassa  possesses  much  value  as  a  stimulating  and  deodorizing 
application.  We  owe  to  Mr.  Condy,  of  Lond,*  its  introduction 
as  a  deodorizer.  It  is  highly  efficient,  and  at  the  same  time  is 
itself  without  smell.  There  are,  however,  a  few  practical  points 
connected  with  its  use  which  seem  to  be  often  neglected.  It 
should  not  be  applied  to  bandages  or  dressings,  as  it  is  decom- 
posed by  the  organic  matter  of  the  fabric,  and  is  lost ;  at  the 
same  time  the  dressings  are  discolored  and  rotted.  It  should 
not  be  applied  with  a  sponge,  for  the  same  reason.  Shallow 
dishes,  containing  a  strong  solution, — about  one  or  two  ounces 
to  the  pint, — allowed  to  stand  in  the  sick-room,  will  be  of  much 
use  in  removing  foul  smells.  It  is  not  adapted  to  solid  filth,  al- 
though highly  efficient,  on  account  of  the  quantity  required  and 
consequent  expense,  but  may  be  used  with  excellent  effect  in 
chamber-vessels,  etc.,  after  they  have  been  emptied  and  rinsed. 
A  word  as  to  economy.  One  ounce  of  the  crystalized  salt 
costs  about  as  much  as  a  pound  of  the  crude,  which  is  just  as 
*  Air  and  Water,  their  Impurities  and  Purification.    London,  1862. 
