The Proceedings of the Medical Society of the County of Kings Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...acids are but slightly altered, and that apparently in the kidney itself--benz0ic being converted into hippuric and salicylic into salicyluric acid. The latter, however, is partly excreted in the unchanged state. Salicylic acid, as well as benzoic acid, circulates in the blood in combination, as sodium salts. The sodium salt of salicylic acid has very much feebler antiseptic properties, according to some observers, but according to others the same as the acid. In benzoates we have all the antiseptic activity claimed for the acid. Salicin seems to be pretty rapidly decomposed in the blood, and according to Senator, the activity of the agent depends upon its conversion into salicylic acid. The change _is not complete, however, for, after large doses, some salicin as well as salicylic acid and saligenin are to be found in the urine. Of menthol and eucalyptol little seems to be known of their action and changes in the blood; carbolic acid probably enters the blood as a carbolate of sodium, and is rapidly eliminated, principally by the kidneys; a part of it, however, is oxidized, and appears apparently as oxalic acid. It must be remembered that the carbolate of sodium is not a very active antiseptic, and hence we must not expect too much from the internal administration of the acid, and especially when we consider the dangers attending the exhibition of any considerable doses. In the alimentary canal it has been used to check excessive fermentation in flatulent dyspepsia and the growth of sarcinae. ' It has been used considerably in typhoid fever by Desplats, Declat, Van Oye, Ramonet and others. The verdict seems to be that it exercises an anti-pyretic and curative anti-zymotic action. This remedy is quite readily absorbed by the skin and may...