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patient’s chamber. In some parts of the continent a popular remedy forconsumption is a residence in rooms or houses inhabited by cows; andthe asserted beneficial effects are supposed to be in part attributable tothe carbonic acid gas contained in the chamber; but, says Vogt ( Lehrbuchder Pharmakodynamik, Bd. ii. 8. 32), “ we must not overlook the humid,mild, balsamic vapour, with which the air of cow-houses is commonlyimpregnated.”
(■ b.) Taken into the stomach, carbonic acid is a most valuable remedyfor checking vomiting, and diminishing irritable conditions of this viscus.The best mode of exhibiting it is, I believe, in the form of an effervescingdraught, composed of citric acid and bicarbonate of potash. In fever, itis an excellent refrigerant; especially serviceable in those cases whichare accompanied with gastric irritation. In that form of lithiasisattended with a white or phosphatic deposit in the urine, water impreg-nated with carbonic acid may be taken with advantage; but in this casethe common effervescing draught, (made of a vegetable acid, and acarbonated alkali) cannot be substituted for carbonic acid water, since itcommunicates an alkaline property to the mine.
(c.) Clysters of carbonic acid gas have been employed in certain affec-tions of the rectum and colon,—for example, ulceration of the rectum,especially when of the kind commonly denominated cancerous.
(d.) A stream of carbonic acid gas has been applied to the uterus withgreat benefit, in a painful condition of this viscus, as I have alreadymentioned (at p. 54).
(e.) Applied to the skin, care being taken that the gas is not inhaled, itis employed either in its gaseous form, or dissolved in water. It is, ofcourse, adapted to those cases where it is desirable to excite the vascularsystem, especially of the skin, and to cause perspiration ; while, on theother hand, it is objectionable in inflammatory cases. In chlorosis,amenorrhoea, dyspepsia, hysteria, scrofula, &c., it has also been founduseful.
if.) It has been applied to cancerous and other ulcers, to allay pain, toimprove the quality of the secretions, and to check sloughing. It isreadily administered by means of a tube connected with a bottle gene-rating the gas. In this case it should be procured by the action ofdilute sulphuric acid on marble, for if hydrochloric acid be employed,the gas requires washing, to remove any of this acid which may passover with it. Or it may be used in the fonn of solution, in which casethe bottle-soda-water may be employed. Or, lastly, we may apply theyeast poultice.
Administration. —Internally, carbonic acid may be administeredunder the form of carbonic acid water (the ordinary bottle-soda-ivater)which may be given in quantities regulated by the moderate desires ofthe patient,
Where no objection exists to the use of the vegetable salts of potash,carbonic acid may be administered under the form of the ordinaryeffervescing draught, composed of a vegetable acid and an alkalinecarbonate. In febrile disorders, when the stomach is in a very irritablecondition, I prefer a draught made with citric acid and the bicarbonateof potash.
Another mode of employing carbonic acid is under the form of theacidulous or carbonated mineral ivaters.
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