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PHOSPHORIC ACID. 229

ing acute disease or habits of intemperance. It is also employed
as an alterative after a long use of mercury, as it increases the
strength and improves the tone of the system. It is also val-
uable as a disinfectant, but inferior to chlorine. It is not as
agreeable to the stomach as diluted sulphuric acid.
Therapeutic Uses.—Dilute nitric acid is employed in the treat-
ment of calculous disease, syphilis, chronic hepatitis, chronic
diarrhcea, constipation, chronic affections of the spleen, chronic
rheumatism, cardialgia, whooping-cough, intermittent fevers, etc.
Dose.—Of diluted nitric acid, gtt. ij-xv, three times a day,
diluted with water, and taken through a tube to protect the teeth.
Dental Uses.—The strong acid, when mixed with two parts of
hydrochloric acid, is a solvent for gold, and is known as aqua
regia. It is also employed as one of the most effectual caustics
in cancrum oris, the constitution being supported and quinine
given at the same time; also for malignant ulcers of the mouth,
and for devitalizing pulps of teeth when nearly exposed by
mechanical abrasion, care being observed that the part of the
surface immediately over the pulp is touched with the acid, and
the neighboring parts protected ; it is a painful operation, how-
ever, and nitrate of silver is preferable.

DENTAL FORMULA.

J^or Sloug/iiiig and III- Conditioned Ulcers.
R. Acidi nitrici 1TLl-lx
Aquae Oj. M.
SiGNA.—Apply with a camel-hair brush.

ACIDUM PHOSPHORICUM—PHOSPHORIC ACID.
AciDUM Phosphoricum Dilutum.— Diluted Phosphoric Acid
is the principal form in which phosphoric acid is employed in
medicine.
Formula.— HgPO^. Sp. gr,, 1.056.
Derivation.—Phosphorus, a non-metallic element, obtained
from bones, is a translucent, nearly colorless, wax-like solid,
without taste, and emitting white vapors when exposed to the
air. Sp, gr., 1.8.