Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-23
OIL OF VITRIOL.

At the last meeting of the Delaware County
Penn. Institute of Science, DR.. j. T. Hud-
dleson, in = paper on sulphuric acid, said:
A single drop of the acid applied to the skiu,
If not interfered With, will soon cause an aflict-
ing ulcer, which the early application of drop
OF water would not prevent, but only add the
effect of . scad to that of an escharotic; where
as an ounce Of water, early applied, would wash
OFT the acid at once and not vestige of its
presence would remain. As an illustration is
always more impressive, [ will instance two
cases that came within my own immediate
knowledge.
Fifty years ago I was in Philadelphia, walk
ing up Market street behind man wheeling
barrow on which was carboy of oil of vitriol
10 raising the wheel over the curbstone at the
corner OF Fourth street, sudden concussion
broke the oarboy. The man wore shoes, one
OF which had all It's vacant space immediately
filled with the acid. The side gutter was, for
tuoately, at the time flowing with waste water
from brewery at short distance into which
directed the unfortunate knight Of the bar
row to put his foot before be drew off his stock.
iDg. The stocking had already changed color
from dark blue 10 bright yellow. The
crowd which had already collected, as if by
magic Voclterousy opposed my prescription
and camored for sweet oil. but 20 one volun
teered to fetch 1t; 20 suggestion being offered
IN regard as to who should deiray the expense.
Meanwhile urged the trial OF my remedy in
vain, the crowd Insisting most vehementy that
the contact with the water would endanger the
loss of the foot, and il Was not until had an.
0ounced myself as physician and promised to
cure the man gratis if damage resulted, that I
got the foot, stocking and all, into the dirty
Water; whence the foot came out 10 about
minute perfectly unscatbed aud I then took
advantage of the opportunity to impress upon
the minds of my audience the superior merit
of water as remedy in all similar cases; with
little success most probably, as deep-seated er
rors as well as confirmed bad habits are hard
to remove.
The other case was that Of a farmer of nv
acquaintance, who, going to market ou one oc-
casIon, was requested by neighbor to get him
3 small quantity Of oil of vitrio, which he did.
returning bomeward, he stopped at the falls of
the Schuylkil to water his horses. In alight-
ing from bis wagon, the vial containing the
acid was broken 10 his pocket, where he had
bis side to his groin. Sweet oil was at hand
and was applied, but it was some months be-
fore the poor man recovered from the danger
ous liberation which could have been so easily
prevented by the water 10 the trough out Of
which his horses were drinking.
There is certain crime known as "vitriol-
throwing" BY which the features of beautiful
women have been indelibly SCARED, in revenge
tor some fancied slight or other cause. If it
were generally Known that water Immediately
applied would wash off the acid, there need be
90 scars, and water is for the most part close at
hand whereas the delay which follows the
search for sweet oil gives the acid time to act
harmfuly, aud the favorite remedy comes too
late. Perhaps it will 20. be amiss to say word
here 10 relation to internal poisoning from sui
phurio acid, which sometimes happens, but not
very often.
A very reprehensible practice is common 10
some paper mills of keeping sulphuric acid
standing about in leaden pitchers aud thirsty
visitor, if not cautioned against it. is liable to
take swallow, supposing the vessel to contain
water The obvious antidote 10 such cases is
some alkaline solution; but some caution is ne
cessary ln making choice; for instance, no 80.
luton of an alkaline carbonate, as salaratus or
blcsrbooate of soda, should be resorted to, as
the sudden evolution of carbonic acid gas
might disieod the stomach to dangerous ex-
tent. Lime water and chalk would neutralise
the acid, but in the act OF doing so would form
an nsoluble sui phate of lime (plaster of Paris),
the presence of which 10 the stomach would be
highly Objectionable. The proper remedies are
calclned maguesia suspended in large quanti-
ty OF water. =