Page 505 - My FlipBook

PEROXIDE OF HYDROGEN. 503

internal reniedy in low forms of fevers, chronic and subacute
rheumatism, whooping-cough, chronic bronchitis, dyspepsia, as it
improves digestion, diabetes, etc., etc. Locally employed, it is
an effective antiseptic, disinfectant, and a powerful deodorant
owing to its oxidizing properties, destroying very rapidly hydro-
gen, sulphur and similar gases. When it is brought in contact
with pus, a rapid change takes place, with evolution of oxygen
gas, the pus-corpuscles becoming granular, losing form, and
breaking up into detrius. It thoroughly cleanses putrid cavities
and abscesses. Owing to its rapid action, however, it cannot
take the place of bichloride of mercury, nor has it the germi-
cidal power of this latter agent, although it possesses such proper-
ties. As a bactericidal agent, it is very serviceable in mi-
crobic affections of the mouth and throat, such as diphtheritic
and aphthous stomatitis. It produces little or no irritation when
used about tender organs, and can be successfully applied in an
unirritating form, so that it comes in contact with and destroys
hence to dental uses, and
diseased germs ; its applicability in
ocular and oral therapeutics, as in gonorrhoeal ophthalmia and
mastoid abscess, for example. Peroxide of hydrogen acts very
promptly and beneficially in feeble, flabby or ill-conditioned
ulcers, chancre, and diphtheritic sores, ozaena, wounds, both
fresh and putrid, etc., etc. Peroxide of hydrogen appears to
have no injurious effect upon animal cells, but has a very en-
ergetic destructive action upon vegetable cells—microbes. It
has no toxic properties, and is also harmless when given by
the mouth. It is especially applicable in the treatment of dis-
eases caused by germs if the microbian element is directly acces-
sible, and is particularly useful in the treatment of infectious dis-
eases of the mouth and throat.
To obtain the best results from peroxide of hydrogen, it should
be kept in a cool place, tightly stoppered, and when required for
use as much as desired should be poured from a large bottle into
a small receptacle, and only the quantity to be used at a time be
exposed to the light. For injection, a small glass or rubber
syringe should be used, as contact with metal destroys its
utility.