Benzoicum acidum

Volume I — Main text

ACIDUM BENZOICUM

Benzoic: acid« The peculiar principle of all true balsams. Ordinarily obtained by sublimation from gum benzoin, the concrete juice of the Styrax benzoin of Peru.

L Provirtgs. — I. ScHREIBER took in two days about i oz. in divided doses, and experienced feeling of abdominal warmth spreading over whole body, accompanied by increase of pulse- rate by 30 beats, and by mcrcased perspiration and excretion of phlegm, with slight dis-

kturbance of digestion and some confusion of head, (Stille, Mat.

^ Mid,^ sub voce.)

a. KitLER took before bedtime about 37 grs. in syrup. During night perspired strongly, which was probably effect of acid, as he was in general with great difficulty made to freely perspire. He could

[perceive no other effect, even when, next day, he took same dose three times \ nor did perspiration recur. Urine voided next morning was unusually acid, and yielded considerable amount of hippuric acid, but also contained normal proportion of uric acid and urea.* (LiEBio's Ann* d, Chem, u. Pharm^ xliii, 109.}

1. LiNGEN took of a solution in alcohol, gr, \ to^j, 5 drops ni. and e. for 9 d. On first 3 d. had frequent pulse. On n. of 4th d, was awakened after midnight with violent pulsation of heart and temporal arteries (110 in minute), without external heat, and could not sleep again. In m*, tongue was covered with white mucous coat ; there was nausea and total loss of appetite. By 4 p.m. these symptoms had vanished ; but every n. for 8 weeks afterwards he awoke with strong internal heat, and hard bounding, but not quickened pulse, so that he must lie awake upon his back, because of puffing in his ears from pulsation of temporal arteries, preventing his falling asleep again. Urine was at first only increased in quantity, not in frequency. In a

• It WIS at first thought that benzoic was changed into the more nitrogetious hippuric acid at the expense of eirher the uric acid (lire) or the urea (Ganod). The rrxuln of Keller, however, have generally been obtained. The conversion seems to take place in the kidneys. It is stated hy Booth, Boyc, and Martin, as the result ui their experiments {Iranu Amer. Phil Soe,, 1865, p. 185), that the quantity oi liipimric acid ubtaincd from the urine is greater by one-third than that of the beiiioJc acHt taken.— Ed $,

few days micturition Hecame exceedingly frequent, with strong pmsiog. Urine of aromatic odour and saline taste ; odour long retained ^ mOAt in forenoon. Other symptoms were : — On two forenoons in fuCGCi^ sion^ whilst sittings pressure on vertex and spinal column, as if these were pressed together by an elastic body (?), so that he bent himself

I involuntarily, stretching forwards ; this sensation, without being painful, is productive of extraordinary anxiety. Stitching and burning first in r, great toe, then in 1. (m., whiht lying down)* On 9th d., feeling of coldness of knees as if blown upon by a cold wind. [^Maim

I Atid, cf American Pr&vings.)

4, NussLR look gr. So of md trit, at orvc doc (gr. o'laj of >cid) Oi> itt d, had uncommon dt&t-hB.rge of flatus downwards in afternoon and e. ; in e, ilne icitchrt in anu&i in middle of chest, in outer r arm and inner 1. 9 in bed» stitcher in chest on deep inspiration, and slight general perspiration; sleep lomewhat disturbed by dreams, and d. — In m., \n bed, some itweat^ especially an face, with moderate heat. Slight cough, immediately after rising ; m middle of cheit pain at limes a kind cit' fttitch ; breath at time?* somewhat vpbistlJng. Dccp-%eated tearing and ^titi (iItut in several jcjtntii, especially of hands and feet , fingers appear %wallrn» a ri <.'»

too small. From 3rd to 7th d. $^ame »ensafioni in jomt«^ and |!ingcrs n uc*

what swollen. On 7th d. constant fine but violent stitches in upper hepatic regioii, sup r racial, not worse on pressure. On 6th and 7th d, tound him>«lf cunuantly omitting words in writingi— an unprecedented thing with him. By 8th d* ftyinptoiiit bad vanished. (Herinc, Amer. AruteiprufMngtn.)

AciDUM BoRACicuM. Sce Borax*

Volume I — Appendix

Acidtun benaoicum.— In I. 3, L 7? after ** awoke,'* insert ' about 2 o'clock." P. 4, 1. 7, for ** stitching and burning, &:c.," read " stitch passing perpendicularly upwards through r. great toe, followed by burning which increases gradually again to a stitch, appearing afterwards in L toe, from which it vanishes with thrilling (m, while lying down)."*