The British pharmaceutical codex : an imperial dispensatory for the use of medical practitioners and pharmacists / by authority of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The British pharmaceutical codex : an imperial dispensatory for the use of medical practitioners and pharmacists / by authority of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

    62/1456 (page 44)
    solution gives a green colour with solution of ferrous sulphate, a red colour with solution of ferric chloride, and rapidly turns black in contact with air and alkalies. -i. r Pvrocrallic acid is a powerful antiseptic in virtue of its affinity for oxv-en. It is used as an ointment in chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis, and is of value as a parasiticide, the beneficial effects being due to its antiseptic and mildly irritant properties. In a more conclntrated form it has been used to destroy upus epi^hel.a cancers etc. It has the disadvantage of staining the skin and hair black. Taken internally it exerts a toxic action on the blood methsemoglobm is formed, passes into the plasma, and leaves the red corpuscles as granular debris. Jaundice and acute nephri .s may follow, hence the drug is now very rarely taken, on account ot its effects after absorption. When administered internally, it is given L the form of a watery solution, or m pills, which niay be massed with a little simple syrup, and must be kept m a dark place it is used in the form of an ointment (i in 8 of lard, hydrous wool fat, or sof paraffin) for psoriasis. Unguentum Pyrogallol Compositum (Unna) contains pyrogallol, 5, salicylic acid 2, ammonium ichtho^ sulphonate, 5, soft paraffin sufficient to produce 100. Mixed with Sur t°mes its weight of starch, the acid is applied as a powder to phagedenic chancfes. In consequence of its toxic Properties and of fts effects upon the red blood corpuscles, even whei^ applied externally, several allied compounds have been used as substitutes. ThTch I of these is the so-called pyrogallol oxide (see Acidum Pyrogamcum Oxidatum), which is formed when atmospheric air and ammonia vapour are allowed to act upon pyrogaHol, other sm'lar compounds are pyrogallol monoacetate Eugallo , pyrogallol triacetate (Lemgallol), and pyrogallol d^salicy ate (S^^^^ aallon These are sometimes substituted for pyrogallol m the v arious SentsTpastes, plasters, and varnishes of -{-^ it is an 1^^^^^^^^^ Another preparation sometimes used m the place of pyrogallol is its derivative gallacetophenone (trioxyacetophenone). Dose.—3 to 10 centigrams (i to grains). , NOTE.-Pyrogallic acid should be kept in well-closed amber-coloured bottles and not exposed to light. ACIDUM PYROGALLICUM OXIDATUM. Oxidised Pyrogallic Acid. Synonyms.-FyrogaWol Oxidatum ; Pyrogallol Oxide. Oxidised pyrogallic acid is prepared by the action of air and ammonia on pyrogallol. , , . Kiit It occurs as a dark brown powder. Slightly soluble in water, but insoluble in absolute alcohol or ether. , M^ronir <;kin Oxidised pyrogallic acid is used in the treatment of^° f^^ diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, generally in the orm of an Ointment. It has the advantage over pyrogallol that it does not