As we learn more and more how to handle gases they will take a more definite
part in the materia medica. I have incorporated in the present Schema a proving by Swan of Oxy.
200 (Organon, 111. 280), and a proving of Ozonum by Dewar, McKendrick and two others,
recorded by Allen. Their symptoms I have marked "Oz." With another preparation called
Oxydol, or Eau Maiche (from its inventor), I have had some experiences. It is not chemically
distinguishable from Peroxide of Hydrogen, but it has none of the disagreeable features of that
substance. It does not bleach articles it may touch, or cause effervescence. It is said to liberate
oxygen in nascent state in the tissues when it is taken internally diluted with five or six parts of
water. Undiluted its taste is disagreeably metallic, though it can be used undiluted as a gargle
without inconvenience. Diluted it has no taste at all. When taken as directed in doses of a
tablespoonful with six of water it sometimes causes relaxation of the bowels followed by
constipation. In myself it set up all the symptoms of a common cold. As an antiseptic lotion and
application I have found it of great value, and as a gargle in cases of sore throat, or rather
rawness of the throat when ushering in a cold, I have often known it stop the irritation from
going further either up or down. In cases of gonorrhcea it has a useful function in rendering the
urine antiseptic, supplying an antiseptic lotion from within, without interfering with the action of
the specific homeceopathic remedy. I have found it more useful than Sa/o/ or Urethane in such
cases. But the disease for which it is chiefly commended by its inventor is cancer. I have given it
in a number of cases and have obtained favourable temporary results in some. In one case seen
with a colleague in an elderly woman of the working class who had a large fungating cancer of
the left breast, Oxyd. was given internally and applied also externally. It caused excessive
discharge with corresponding reduction of the tumour, and we hoped for a cure. But after several
weeks the patient's legs suddenly swelled; the swelling rapidly increased and she sank, the
tumour having at least three-quarters disappeared. The effect of the Oxyvdol was probably to
liberate the disease elements too rapidly for the organism to eliminate them, as Dr. Cooper
suggests in his account of Ornithogal. Swan's symptoms have been verified in some instances
- ▸(H.
- ▸P.
- ▸, x.
- ▸400), the following cures being recorded: (/) Cough from dryness in upper larynx and
constant tickling in throat-pit. Hard, shaking cough causing soreness in epigastric region.
Expectoration with every cough, thick, lumpy, tasteless; Oxy. 1m.—(2) Passing quantities of uric
acid like ruby sand; Oxy. cm.—(3) Cough excited by tickling in throat and causing soreness of
- ▸chest; 2 to 3 a.
- ▸m.
- ▸; > lying on back.
- ▸Oxy.
- ▸cm cured this case.
- ▸As a mouth wash in canker sores
dilute Oxydol is a useful preparation. Now that Oxygen inhalation has become so popular, we
may expect some symptoms from those who become addicted to it. With inhalation of Oxygen
- ▸kept up for ten hours, D.
- ▸T.
- ▸Playfair (Lancet, quoted N.
- ▸A.
- ▸J.
- ▸H.
- ▸, xiv.
- ▸139) cured a desperate case
- ▸of morphia poisoning (30 grains Morph.
- ▸acet.
- ▸had been taken) in a young woman of 37.
- ▸All the
usual antidotes had been given before without avail. The patient was entirely well In twenty-four
- ▸hours.
- ▸Osterwald of Berlin (Med.
- ▸Press, Jan.
- ▸9, 1901) has also shown by experiments on guinea-
pigs that Oxygen gas is a most efficient antidote to poisoning by Strychnine in these animals.