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especially lichen and chronic nettle-rash, it is sometimes serviceable.In those forms of dyspepsia connected with an alkaline condition of thestomach, as in pyrosis, the sulphuric has been found to succeed betterthan hydrochloric acid (Dr. R. D. Thomson, British Annals of Med.March 31, 1837).
(6.) External. —As a local agent, sulphuric acid is employed as acaustic, irritant, or astringent. As a caustic it has no advantageover many other agents, except that which arises from its liquid form,which, in most cases, renders it disadvantageous. For example, thedifficulty of localizing it would he an objection to its employment in theproduction of an issue, but would be an advantage in applying it towounds caused by rabid animals or poisonous serpents, since the liqui-dity of the acid enables it to penetrate into all parts of the bites. Inentropium, or that disease in which the eyelid is inverted, or turnedinwards upon the eye, this acid has been applied as a caustic. In thiscomplaint the friction of die eyelashes on the globe is most distressing,giving rise not only to inflammation, but even ulceration of the cornea.Now, when the disease is permanent, two modes of curing it have beenproposed; either to remove a fold of the integument by the knife, sothat, by the subsequent cicatrization, the lid may be drawn outwards—or to destroy a portion of the skin by a caustic, as sulphuric acid. Thelatter plan of treatment has been practised successfully by several emi-nent oculists, among whom I may name Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Lawrence.So also in ectropium, in which the lid is everted or turned outward, Mr.Guthrie has applied the concentrated acid to the inner side of the evertedlid with advantage.
An ointment containing sulphuric acid has been employed as arubefacient in paralysis, and in the second stage of inflammation of thejoints, when the violence of the disease has subsided; as a styptic towounds, to suppress hannorrliage from numerous small vessels; and as acure for scabies. Lastly, this acid, properly diluted, is employed as anastringent gargle in ulcerations of the mouth and throat; but after usingit the mouth should be well rinsed, to prevent the action of the acid onthe teeth.
2. Pharmaceutical. —Sulphuric acid is used in the manufactureof various preparations contained in the Pharmacopoeia , as some of theacids, ether, the vegetable alkalies, several salts, &c.
Administration. —For internal use we generally make use of thediluted sulphuric acid of the Pharmacopoeia , or the elixir of vitriol.
1. Acidum Sulphuricum Dilutum. —This compound is pre-pared by adding, gradually, a fluidounce and a half of sulphuric acid tofourteen fluidounces and a half of distilled water. Condensation ensues,and heat is evolved. Mr. Phillips states, that a fluidrachm of it con-tains about ten grains of the strong acid, and will saturate 28 grains ofcrystallized carbonate of soda. The dose of it is from ten to thirtyminims diluted with two or three table spoonfuls of some mild liquid.A most convenient preparation of it is the compound infusion of roses.It is sometimes given with conserve of roses.
2. Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum. —This preparation, whichis contained in the Edinburgh, Dublin, and United States Pharmaco-poeias , is known in the shops as elixir of vitriol. The Dublin formulafor it is the following:—“ Take of rectified spirit two pints, sulphuric