The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-30
OIL OF ViariOl,

Attbe last meeting of the Delaware County
(Pen.) Institute OF Science, Dr.. j. T. Huddle.
son, 10 paper on sulphuric acid, said:
A single drop Of the acid applied TO the
skin. II not interfered with, will soon cause
an sffl citing ulcer, which the early applica-
cation of drop of water would not prevent.
but only add the effect of scald to that of
an escharotic; whereas an ounce of water
early applied would wash off the acid al
once, and not vestige Of its presence would
remain. AS an illustration is always MOI e
impressive, will instance two cases that
came within my own immediate knowledge
Fifty years ago I was in Philadelphia
walking up Market street behind man
wheeling a barrow, on which was carboy
of oil Of yitriol Ia raising the wheel over
the curbstone at the corner of Fourth street
sudden conclusion broke the carboy. The
man wore shoes, one of which had all its
vacant space Immediately filed with the acid.
The side gutter was fortunately at the time
flowing with waste water from a brewery at
a short distance, into which directed the
unfortunate knight OF the barrow to put his
foot before he drew off his stocking. The
stocking tad already charged color from q
dark blue TO bright yellow. The crowd
which bad already collected, as If by magic,
vociferously opposed my prescription. and
csmored for sweet oil, but no one Volun-
teered to fetch it: no suggestion being
offered in regard as to who should defray
the expense.
Meanwhile urged the tri,l Of my remedy
in vain, the GRO ~d insisting most vehemently
that the contact with the water would en-.
danger the loss Of the foot, and it was not
until had announced myself as a physician
and promised to cure the man gratis il
damage resulted, that got the foot, stock
ing and all, into the dirty water; whence
the foot came out 10 aoout minute perfectly
un.cathed aud l then took advantage of
the opportunity to impress upon the minds
of my audience the superior merit Of water
as remedy in all simillr cases; with little
success most probably, as deepseated errors
as well as confirmed bad habits are hard to
remove.
The other case was that Of farmer of my
acquaintance, who, going to market on one
occasion, was requested BY neighbor to get
him small quantity Of oil Of vtrioI, which
he did. Returning bomeward, be stopped
at the falls of the Schuylkill TO wafer his
horses. In alighting from his wagon the vial
containing the acid was broken 10 bis pocket,
where be had uncautiouSly placed and the
fluid ran down bis side to his groin. Sweet
oil was at band, and was applied, but it was
some months before the poor man recovered
from the dangerous liberation which could
have been SO easily prevented by the water
in the trough out of which bis horses were
drinking.
There is certain crime known as "vitriol-
throwing" by which the features Of beauti-
ful women have been Ddelibly Scared, in
revenge for some tancied slight or other
cause. If it were generally known that
water Immediately applied would wash oil
the acid, there need be no 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 harmfully, and the
f4yorte remedy comes too lafe. Perhaps it
will not be amiss 10 say word here in rea
ton to internal poisoning from sulphuric
acid, which sometimes happens, but not very
often.
A very rcprehensble practice is common
in some piper-mills of keeping sulphurlc
acid standing about in leaden pitchers, and
Il thirsty visitor, if not cautioned against It,,
is liable 10 take a swallow, suppoSiDg the
vessel 10 con!aia water. The obvious anti.
dote in such cases Is some alkaline solution
but some clution is necessary in making
choice; for instance, 90 solution OF an AKA.
line car bonate, as salaratuS or bicarbonate OF
soda, should he resolted to, as the sudden
evolution of carbonic acid gas might dstend
the stomach to dangerous extent. Lime
water and chalk would neutrallze the acid,
but in the act Of doing so would form an in
soluble sulpha!e of lime (plas,er of PARIS,
the presence Of which in the stomach would
be highly Objectionable. The proper RENE
dies are cIclned miguesia suspended In
large quantity Of water.