108

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

remedy. I have carefully watched its effects in phthisis and other chro-nic diseases of the lungs; and the result of my observation is, that chlorineis rarely serviceable. Frequently, after the first and second inhalations,the patients fancy their breathing much relieved, while the expectora-tion is promoted, but the amendment is seldom permanent. I needhardly say it has no pretensions to the cure of phthisis, but it may beuseful as a palliative (sometimes diminishing the sweating); and I can ■readily believe that occasionally in chronic bronchitis it may be of essen- 'tial service, though, I confess, I have never found it so.

I have before described the mode of administering the gas (p. 51).Either the aqueous solution of chlorine, or a small portion of the chlorideof lime, may be placed into the inhaling bottle: if the latter be not suffi-ciently strong, a few drops of muriatic acid are to be added, to developfree chlorine.

(d.) In diseases of the liver, not attended with active inflammation, Mr.Wallace has successfully employed baths of gaseous chlorine, either inthe pure state or diluted with air or aqueous vapour. The benefit ofchlorine in these cases has been confirmed by others. The temperatureof the bath, and the time the patient ought to remain in it, will vary indifferent instances ; but Mr. Wallace thinks, that, in the greater number,115° Fah. will be found to answer best, and the proper time about half ,an hour. The benefit obtained is in part refemble to the heat employed, \in part to the irritant effect of the chlorine on the skin, and (according to ;Mr. Wallace) in part to the specific influence of chlorine on the liver. $Ziese, an apothecary at Altona, has also employed chlorine baths in these |cases with advantage. |

Antidotes. —The inhalation of ammoniacal gas, of the vapour of warm |water, of spirit of wine, or of ether, has been recommended, to relieve theeffects of chlorine. I tried them all when suffering myself, but without I;the least apparent benefit. In a case related by Kastner, and which isreported in Wibmer’s work {Die Wirkung der Arzneim. u. Gifte. 2 er . lid. :109), sulphuretted hydrogen gave great relief. If this agent be em-ployed, it must be done cautiously, as it is itself a powerfid poison. !

A'qua Chlorinii. — Chlo'rine Water. —Ph. Dub. !

History. —This compound has been known by the various names ofliquid oxymuriatic acid, aqua oxymuriatica, and liquor chlori. In the \Dublin Pharmacopoeia it is termed aqua chlorinii, or chlorine water. |

Preparation. —In the Dublin Pharmacopoeia this compound is pre- |pared as follows :—add 87 parts of sulphuric acid to 124 of water, and Jwhen the mixture has become cold, pom it on a mixture of 100 parts of |dried common salt, intimately mixed with 30 parts of binoxide of manga- ■nese, and placed in a retort. Transmit the gas which is evolved on theapplication of a moderate heat, through 200 parts of water, placed in aWoolfe’s bottle: but in the absence of this a wide-mouthed bottle closedby a cork with two perforations, through which pass two glass tubes, bothdipping into the water, but one of which communicates with the retort.

A Florence flask, to which a curved tube is adapted by means of a cork, isa more convenient vessel for generating the gas in, than a retort.

Properties. —At the temperature of (iO" F. and common pressure of the \atmosphere, water takes up about twice its bulk of the gas ( Gay-Lussac ).