Acid, Cathartic

One of the active principles of senna. A brown -ish powder. Laxative dose: For children, 1 1/2 to 3 grains; for adults, 4 to 8 grains.

Acid, Cinnamic

Properties similar to benzoic acid. Recommended in tuberculosis as an intravenous injection, beginning with 1/4 grain doses in almond or olive oil. See also Hetol.

Acid, Coumaric, or ortho-hydroxycinnamic acid, is prepared from coumarin. Sodium ortho-coumarate has been used as a 22-percent, aqueous solution for tuberculosis. Tylmarin (Martindale) is acetyl-ortho-coumaric acid, and is similarly used.

Acid, Cresotic (Para)

Antipyretic and intestinal antiseptic for children, resembling salicylic acid in appearance and properties. Dose: As antiseptic, 1/4 to I grain ; as antipyretic, 2 grains upwards.

Acid, Filicic

The active principle of male fern, and given as an anthelmintic in powders of 10 grains or more.

Acid, Formic (H.COOH). - Prepared from oxalic acid and glycerin. A colourless pungent liquid, which exists naturally in nettles, also in ants (hence its name). A 25-per-cent. solution is used, in doses of 2 to 10 minims, as a muscular tonic. Formates of sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, and iron are used similarly, in doses of 1/6 to 3 grains. Strychnine formate is also used; dose, 1/50 grain. The formates are all soluble in water, and are best given in solution. Cachets or powders are unsuitable owing to their deliquescence.

Acid, Gynocardic

This is the name applied up to June, 1904, to a mixture of the fatty acids of chaulmoogra oil which has been administered in leprosy, rheumatism, syphilis, and tuberculosis in doses beginning at 1/2 grain and increasing to 3 grains. Also used externally, dissolved in an oil or fat (strength 10 per cent.). As chaulmoogra oil is not obtained from the seeds of Gynocardia odorata, the name is a misnomer, and chaulmoogric acid is a distinct product.

Acid, Osmic

In yellow crystals, soluble in water. Given in doses of 1/84 grain for muscular rheumatism and neuralgia, and hypodermically in 1/20-grain doses for sciatica and tumours. The vapour is intensely irritating.

Acid, Oxynaphthoic, or naph-tholcarbonic acidC10H6.OH.COOH - is a nearly white powder, practically insoluble in water, but soluble on the addition of alkalies, which form salts with it. The acid is easily soluble in alcohol and ether. Is an antiseptic and antizymotic in doses of 1 1/2 to 3 grains. Also used as a 1-in-20 ointment (with lanoline or vaseline) for itch.

Acid, Phenolsulphonic (sozolic acid), C6H2I2 : OH.S03H.3H20, occurs in needle-shaped crystals, easily soluble in water and alcohol. The 2 to 3 per cent. solution in water is used as an antiseptic. See also Aseptol.

Acid, Picric

A yellow crystalline powder, with bitter taste. Soluble in water (I in 95) and in alcohol (1 in 10). An explosive substance. For malaria in 1/2 to 2 grain doses (in alcohol), and 1 -in-1,000solution for burns,eczema, and cracked nipples.

Acid, Santoninic, a white, crystalline principle (C15H20O4), the sodium salt of which is used for intestinal worms. Dose: 1 to 5 grains.