Acetic Acid

Authorities. 6, Dr. Grain, Inaug. Diss., 1838 (Hygeia, 10, 392), took frequently about ounce of pure wood spirit, diluted with more or less water, the action always being the same ; 7, A. H. David, M.D., Brit.- Amer. Journ. of Med. and Phys. Sci. (Bost. Med. and Surg. Journ., vol. xxxvii, 1847, p. 134), a woman took a quart of common vinegar; 8, Wandered, Med. Gaz., from Heller’s Archiv (Lancet, 1847 (2), p.. 162), a wetnurse was in the habit of drinking large quantities of Acetic rosarum ; 9, Mr. Burnett, Lancet, 1867 (2), p. 98, a man while drunk took 2 or 3 ounces Acetic acid C. Hering, M.D., Am. Journ. of Horn. Mat. Med., 1875, p. 222, effects on a young German engaged in a vinegar factory for a little over a year; 11, E. W. Berridge, N. E. Med. Gaz., 1874, p. 401, effects of drinking vinegar ; 12, same. Am. Journ. of Horn. Mat. Med., vol. ix, 1876, p. 245, second case of effects of tasting vinegar.

It had a peculiar burning taste, and caused a similar taste in the throat. Soon afterwards there was a disagreeable burning in the epigastric region, followed by efforts to vomit, profuse secretion of saliva, and eructations ; these lasted about two hours, and gradually disappeared, without causing additional disturbance. Even when taken in small quantities, so that it did not cause a burning taste, yet it caused secretion of saliva, some nausea, and eructations from time to time. There were also weariness and inclination to perspire,®.—Covered with cold perspiration, and trembling from head to foot, and apparently alarmed at everybody and everything about her. Her breathing was very laborious and hurried ; her countenance perfectly wild, and the pupils dilated; the tongue was dry and cold ; pulse 96, and full ; the abdomen much distended, with extremely acute pain at the scrobiculus cordis, so much so that the slightest f)pressure there caused her to shriek out. She did not know any one about her, not even her own children, nor had she any recollection of anything that had happened from the time of taking the vinegar,’.—The milk became impoverished, it was of a specific gravity 1.002, bluish-colored, transparent, had a strongly acid taste, and a well-marked odor of Acetic acid. On analysis he found it to be deficient in casein and butter. The child gradually drooped, had diarrhoea, and finally died of marasmus. The woman herself, in the course of a few weeks, became pale, sickly, lost flesh, and suffered from chronic haemorrhage,®.—Slight collapse and laryngeal obstruction, which was so severe as to lead to cessation of respiration, but was at once relieved by tracheotomy. Some six hours later there was inability to swallow, with great thirst,®.—Soon after entering the factory, he lost his usual good appetite, although he remained otherwise well. He had often to work in the night, and slept during the daytime. His sleep now became very much broken, without any particular reason. If he ate something he could sleep on. At a later period he could not lie on his back, and felt as though the abdomen would sink in, which caused laborious breathing. He rested better in abdominal position. He could not drink anything cold on account of its lying heavily in the stomach and causing pressure. He had to give up drinking beer, and got an aversion to cold victuals. His florid complexion disappeared ; he grew pale and emaciated. Vegetables, of which he was always fond, now disagreed, with the exception of potatoes. Bread disagreed, and butter still more; he had an aversion to all salted things. Food tasted right, but would not go down ; he therefore had to eat very slowly. Of meat he could eat sparingly ; cheese and eggs agreed. He frequently partook of mulled beer and eggs, which wanned him up, and caused him to perspire, after which he felt easier, but could not sleep. After taking some hitter tonics his stools became variable. The appearance of the tongue was normal. He grieved much about his sickness, and felt considerable anxiety about his children. He sighed often, and now and then was Forced to take a deep breath, which relieved. Going upstairs was very difficult,'®.—Whenever she takes vinegar her face gets red and feels hot, with perspiration on it,'''.—Cold perspiration on forehead,".