ACIDUM SULPHUROSUM, Sulphurous Acid,-is a colorless liquid, of sulphurous taste and very acid reaction, composed of about. 31⁄2 per cent. of Sulphurous Acid Gas (SO,) and 961⁄2 per cent. of water. It is prepared by heating Sulphuric Acid with charcoal and dissolving the gas produced in distilled water. Dose, m v-3j, largely diluted with water.

Preparations.

Potassii Sulphis, Sulphite of Potassium, K,SO,.2H,O.-white, opaque, octahedral crystals, or a crystalline powder, somewhat deliquescent, of bitter, saline, and sulphurous taste, and a neutral or feebly alkaline reaction; soluble in 4 of water at 59° F., and in 5 of boiling water; sparingly soluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. iij x.

Sodii Sulphis, Sulphite of Sodium, Na,SO,.7H,O, colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, efflorescent in dry air, of cooling, saline, and sulphurous taste, and neutral or feebly alkaline reaction; soluble in 4 of water at 59° F., and in 0.9 of boiling water, very slightly soluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xx.

Sodii Bisulphis, Bisulphite of Sodium, NaHSO,,-opaque prismatic crystals, or a crystalline or granular powder, slowly oxidized in the air; of faint, sulphurous odor, a disagreeable taste, and an acid reaction; soluble in 4 of water and in 72 of alcohol at 50° F., in 2 of boiling water, and in 49 of boiling alcohol. By strong heat it is converted into sulphur and sulphate of sodium. Dose, gr. iij-x.

Sodii Hyposulphis, Hyposulphite of Sodium, Na,S,O,.5 H,O,-large, colorless, monoclinic prisms or plates, efflorescent in dry air, of cooling and bitter taste, and neutral or faintly alkaline reaction; soluble in 1.5 of water at 59° F., and in 0.5 of boiling water, which partly decomposes it; insoluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xx.

Magnesii Sulphis, Sulphite of Magnesium, Mg,SO,.6H,O,—a white, crystalline powder, gradually oxidized in the air, of bitter and sulphurous taste, and neutral or slightly alkaline reaction; soluble in 20 of water at 59° F., and in 19 of boiling water; insoluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xxx.

Antagonists and Incompatibles.

All oxidizing substances change the Sulphites into Sulphates, and the mineral acids decompose them.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.

SULPHUROUS ACID has great affinity for oxygen, and is a powerful disinfectant and deodorizer, and very destructive to all plant life. The gas inhaled is irritant to the glottis, and may produce dangerous inflammation of the respiratory passages.

The SULPHITES AND HYPOSULPHITES are partly decomposed by the acid of the stomach, sulphurous acid being given off, and the balance being converted into sulphates act as purgatives, and are absorbed, undergoing elimination as sulphates by the kidneys and bowels. They were formerly supposed to enter the blood and tissues as sulphites, and to arrest morbid processes of the zymotic character, but both these assumptions have

proven erroneous.

THERAPEUTICS.

SULPHUROUS ACID GAS (Sulphurous Anhydride) is extensively used as a disinfectant, being the most powerful and convenient agent for this purpose. Sulphur is burned on a shovel or plate in the room to be fumigated, all outlets having been carefully closed. It is injurious to many fabrics. SULPHUROUS ACID is used locally in many throat affections as a spray

or by a mop. In diphtheria, stomatitis, aphthæ, ulcers of the tonsils, syphilitic and tuberculous laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, etc., it may be thus applied with great benefit. Morbid fermentation in the stomach with growth of penicillium and sarcina is quickly stopped by 5 to 60-minim doses in water, or by the sulphites in 20-grain doses. In parasitic skin diseases and foul wounds these agents are extremely useful as local applications.

The SULPHITES were used in zymotic and septic fevers as internal antiseptics on theoretical grounds, but their supposed value has not been realized.

ACIDUM TANNICUM, Tannic Acid, Tannin, CH,O9,is a solid body in light-yellowish scales, of strongly astringent taste and acid reaction, obtained from powdered galls (see GALLA), by exposure for three days in a damp atmosphere, then macerating with ether, pressing, and drying the liquid portion. It is soluble in 6 parts of water, in 0.6 of alcohol, and in 6 of glycerin at 59° F. Dose, gr. j-xx in water, pill or capsule.

Preparations.

Unguentum Acidi Tannici,—is a 10 per cent. ointment made with Benzoinated Lard. Trochisci Acidi Tannici,—each troche contains one grain of Tannic Acid.

Collodium Stypticum.—Styptic Collodion,-has of Tannin 20, Alcohol 5, Ether 20, Collodion 55 parts.

Suppositoria Acidi Tannici (Unofficial),-have Tannin I part to 5 of Cacao Butter. Glyceritum Acidi Tannici (Unofficial),-has Tannin 1 part in 4 of Glycerin.

Vegetable Astringents contain some form of tannic acid, as Quercitanic Acid from Oak-bark, Rhatania-tannic Acid in Rhatany, etc. (For list, see page 64.) The official acid is Gallo-tannic Acid, being that produced from Galls.

Antagonists and Incompatibles.

Mineral acids, alkalies, persalts of iron, and salts of antimony, lead and silver, are chemically incompatible. Vegetable alkaloids and gelatin form insoluble precipitates with Tannic Acid.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.

TANNIC ACID is a powerful astringent. It precipitates pepsin and coagulates albumen, impairs digestion, stops peristalsis, and causes constipation. A part of that taken into the stomach unites with the pepsin and albumen, while a part is converted into Gallic and Pyro-gallic Acids, and in this form is both absorbed and excreted. It is a crystalloidal body, but combines with colloids, and is a valuable antidote in poisoning by the alkaloids and tartar emetic, with which it forms tannates which are nearly insoluble. Its continued use disorders digestion, irritates the mucous membranes, and produces emaciation. Injected into the veins it forms. emboli and thus may cause death, but by the stomach it is non-toxic. Some authorities hold that Tannic Acid is merely Gallic Acid Anhydride; others believe that the difference between them is one of oxidation. Gallic Acid does not coagulate albumen or gelatin, while Tannic Acid does.

THERAPEUTICS.

TANNIC ACID is a more powerful astringent than Gallic Acid, and hence is preferred for local use and for astringent effect on the intestinal canal. It is well employed in hemorrhoids and hemorrhages from the lower bowel, in hematemesis, epistaxis, rectal ulcers or fissures, catarrhs and chronic affections of the mucous membranes, endocervicitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery and diarrhoeas, eczema, impetigo and other forms of skin-disease, otorrhoea, bed-sores, prolapsus ani, and many other affections.

STYPTIC COLLODION is used to stanch the bleeding from an open wound, to unite and protect incised or lacerated wounds, and to cover and change the character of foul ulcers.

ACIDUM TARTARICUM, Tartaric Acid, H,C,H,O,-is a crystalline acid, prepared from Acid Tartrate of Potassium (Cream of Tartar), by neutralizing a solution thereof with Chalk and Calcium Chloride, then decomposing the Tartrate of Lime thus formed by Sulphuric Acid, evaporating and purifying. It occurs in colorless, transparent prisms, which are odorless, of acid taste and reaction, and soluble in 0.7 of water and in 21⁄2 of alcohol at 59° F. Twenty grains exactly neutralize 27 of Potassium Bicarbonate, 22 of Sodium Bicarbonate, or 15% of Ammonium Carbonate. Dose, gr. x-xxx.

Preparations.

Tartaric Acid is an ingredient of the Effervescing Powders (see under Potassium), and is used in making all the preparations of Aconite. Five Tartrates are official (see Index).

The actions and uses of Tartaric Acid are similar to those of the other Vegetable Acids, as described under ACIDUM ACETICUM (ante, page 59). It is chiefly employed in preparing refrigerant drinks.

ACONITUM, Aconite,-is the tuberous root of Aconitum Napellus, a perennial plant of the nat. ord. Ranunculaceæ (Monkshood), found in mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and N. America. This plant has deep-blue, helmet-shaped flowers, and leaves which have deeply-cut, wedge-shaped segments, exciting slowly when chewed a sensation of tingling in the tongue and lips. The root is conical and tapering, from 2 to 3 inches long, dark-brown externally, whitish internally, having a thick bark enclosing a seven-rayed, star-shaped pith, odorless, taste sweetish at first, soon becoming acrid. A minute portion, cautiously chewed, causes prolonged tingling and numbness. Its active principle is the alkaloid Aconitine (see below), which it contains in the proportion of .03 per cent. It also contains gum, sugar, Aconitic Acid, and several other principles, viz.—Aconine, Napelline, Pseudaconitine, Lyctonine, etc., concerning which there is much diversity of opinion. Dose, gr. 1⁄2-ij.

Other aconite-roots are those of A. Cammarum, A. ferox, and the Chinese or Japanese Aconite, A. Chinense vel Japonicum. From the latter an alkaloid is obtained, named Japaconitine, which is even more poisonous than pseud-aconitine. The Indian variety (A. ferox) contains pseudaconitine but does not yield aconitine. The former is considered to be more active than the latter, and Japaconitine more so than either the other two.

Preparations.

Abstractum Aconiti,—is twice the strength of the powdered drug or its fluid extract. Dose, gr. 4-j.

Extractum Aconiti,-is at least four times as strong as the extract official in the U. S. P., 1870, which was prepared from the leaves, and is yet to be found in the shops. Dose, gr. 6-3.

Extractum Aconiti Fluidum,—each drop represents nearly one grain of the powdered drug an alcoholic preparation. Dose, m1⁄2-ij.

Tinctura Aconiti,-Aconite 40, Tartaric Acid 0.4, Alcohol to 100 parts. Is about twenty-eight times as strong as the former tincture of the leaf. Dose, m1⁄2-iv.

Tinctures of Aconite root vary greatly in strength. In Fleming's Tincture 79 parts of aconite are used in preparing 100 of the tincture, in that of the Br. P. 16, the French 20, the German 10, while the Linimentum Aconiti (B. P.) is really a very strong tincture, of the strength of 1 to 1⁄2. Probably the best and safest preparation for ordinary use is a 10 per cent. tincture, of which the maximum single dose for an adult is stated in the P. Ger. at mix, and the maximum daily dose at m xxxv.

The best rule for the administration of aconite preparations is to give the minimum dose at intervals of 15 to 20 minutes, until the desired effect is produced.

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Unofficial Preparations.

Aconitina, Aconitine, CH43NO12,-a white, and usually amorphous solid, of alkaline reaction, soluble in 150 of cold and 50 of hot water; much more soluble in alcohol and ether. Is difficult to obtain of constant strength, some samples being all but inert, others extremely active. As obtained in the shops it is usually a mixture of several alkaloids. The Aconitine Crystalisée of Duquesnel, which, according to Squibb, is a nitrate of aconite, is considered to be the most active of those in the market. Dose, gr. 200-36.

Oleatum Aconitine, Oleate of Aconitine,-is a 2 per cent. solution in Oleic Acid, for external use. Duquesnel's crystals will not dissolve in Oleic Acid (Squibb).

Napellina, Napelline,-is weaker than Aconitine, and has been used in doses of gr. 1. It has lately been studied by Laborde, who claims for it most valuble hypnotic properties, and proposes to use it as a substitute for opium and chloral.

St. Jacob's Oil (a patent medicine),-is a weak Aconite Liniment, which also contains Ether, Alcohol, Turpentine, red coloring matter and water (Squibb). See Appendix.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.

Aconite is a powerful depressant of the sensory nerve ends, the heart, the respiration and the spinal system. It is also antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic. It acts chiefly on the peripheral ends of the sensory nerves, but paralyzes both the motor and sensory nerves-the sensory being affected first and from the periphery inwards, while the motor nerves are affected from the centres outwards. It stimulates at first but soon relaxes the inhibitory apparatus of the heart, and paralyzes finally the vagus ends, the cardiac muscle and its contained ganglia, the respiratory centres, and the spinal cord in all its functions-sensory, reflex and motor; but does not affect the cerebrum.

The primary stimulation which the drug produces upon the vagus centre in the medulla slows the heart-rate at first; but its depressant action upon the motor cardiac centres and the vagus end-organs in the heart, is soon manifested; and finally the vagus centre shares in the increasing paralysis, which affects the vaso-motor centre as well as the The heart rate becomes very rapid near the

cardiac nervous apparatus.

end, from paralysis of the vagus ends in its structure.

Its taste is bitter, acrid and pungent. Soon after the ingestion of even a small quantity, à sensation of numbness and a persistent tingling are felt in the tongue and lips. Full medicinal doses cause a sense of constriction in the fauces, irritation of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane with increased secretion; sometimes nausea and vomiting, and severe pains in the joints and muscles; always more or less salivation, diaphoresis and diuresis; reduced respiratory power, cardiac rate and force; lowered arterial tension and temperature.

A lethal dose produces great muscular weakness, dim sight, dilated (sometimes contracted) pupils; shallow, irregular, and labored respiration, slow and weak pulse, cold surface, clammy sweat, great anxiety, numbness and tingling in the extremities, lowered body-temperature (2° to 3°), abolished sensation, impaired reflexes and motility, and finally death from paralysis of the heart and respiration, with or without convulsions, consciousness being preserved until near the end, when CO, narcosis sets in. In two recorded cases, œdema of the entire body resulted from Aconitepoisoning by eating the leaves of the growing plant.

Aconite is rapidly diffused and slowly excreted, the effects of a full medicinal dose continuing for three or four hours. Applied externally, it paralyzes the sensory nerves of the part, producing its characteristic numbness and tingling.

Antagonists.

Caffeine, Atropine, Morphine, Ether, Ammonia and Amyl Nitrite antagonize its effects on the heart and respiration. Digitalis counteracts its heart action and the relaxation of cardiac inhibition. In Aconite poisoning, the stomach should be evacuated, warmth applied to the extremities, stimulants administered, artificial respiration if necessary, and the recumbent posture strictly maintained. Caffeine may be administered hypodermically and per orem.

THERAPEUTICS.

Aconite antagonizes the fever process, and rightly used is therefore one of the most valuable drugs we possess. It has well been called the "therapeutic lancet," and is certainly responsible to a great extent for the disuse of venesection. Its power over the circulation, respiration and transpiration renders it of the greatest value in all affections characterized by high resisting pulse, dry hot skin, and elevated body-temperature. It is especially useful in acute throat affections, the early stage of acute inflammations of the respiratory organs, catarrhal croup, acute pleuritis