Copy 2

A manual of pharmacy / By William Thomas Brande.

  • Brande, William Thomas, 1788-1866.
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of pharmacy / By William Thomas Brande. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    26/580 (page 8)
    spirit of wine may be sharpened to any desired extent by the addition of concentrated acetic acid. Fk Spirittis Camphorati f3iij. | Acidi Acetici fort. £3). Misce fiant embrocatio parti affecte applicanda. To this any of the volatile oils may be added, for acetic acid also dissolves most of them, as we see in aromatic vinegar*, which is the acid thus perfumed, and furnishes an agreeable nasal stimulant. A piece of blotting paper, or cambric, moist- ened with pure acetic acid, and applied to the cuticle, soon excites a burning heat, with much redness; and if suffered to remain upon the spot for a sufficient time, the cuticle peels off. This forms a good occasional substitute for a blister, especially in inflammatory sore throat, where external irrita- tion rapidly excited is often singularly effectual in alleviating the internal tumefaction and pain. It would, probably, be a good application in croup, where a very quick external coun- teraction is wanted. The inhalation of the vapour of acetic acid has proved a useful remedy in hoarseness arising from local irritation of the larynx and epiglottis: it may be mixed in small quantity with boilmg water in an inhaler, and used — in the usual way. | The vapour of acetic acid is sometimes employed for the fumigation of sick rooms, where its only use is to cover any bad smell; for it is perfectly ineffectual as a destroyer of contagious or infectious matter. Common vinegar and acetic acid in various states of dilu- tion forms a refreshing ingredient in diluent drinks in cases of inflammatory fever, and in those affections of the digestive and urinary organs which are attended by the appearance of white deposits or sand in the urine; (phosphate of lime and ammoniaco-magnesian phosphate); but lemon and orange * According to Dr. Paris, Henry’s Aromatic Vinegar is an acetic solution of camphor and of the oils of cloves, lavender, and rosemary. A preparation of this kind, he observes, may be extemporaneously made by putting 3}. of acetate of potass into a phial, with a few drops of some fragrant oil, and mxx. of sulphuric acid. (Pharmacologia, Il. 15.) — Marseilles or Thieves’ Vinegar consists of camphor, volatile oils, and vinegar, and resembles the Acetum Aromaticum of the Edinburgh Pharmacopeia.