VINEGAR (Acetic Acid)

Categories: Medical Uses of Some Common Household Articles

Vinegar contains from six to seven per cent acetic
acid. Dilute acetic acid contains six per cent pure acetic acid. The pure

or glacial acetic acid is a crystalline solid at 59 degrees F., takes up

moisture readily so should be kept in well stoppered bottles. Acetic acid

is a strong corrosive poison; if taken internally, causes vomiting, with

intense pain, followed by convulsions and fatal coma. If the acid remains

in the sto ach for some time it may eat its way through the stomach wall.

In cases of poisoning by acetic acid, milk or flour and water should be

freely given and vomiting produced. Weak alkalies should also be given as

antidotes. Glacial acetic acid is used as an application to cancer of the

skin, ulcers, warts, growths in the nose, ringworm, lupus (Jacob's Ulcer)

and other ulcerous growths. Vinegar or dilute acetic acid is given to

check night sweats and to relieve diarrhea. It is also used in treating

painter's colic after the constipation has been relieved, as an antidote

to poisoning by caustic alkalies; externally to prevent bed sores,

relieves headaches, checks moderate bleeding from leech bites, superficial

wounds, nosebleed and in post-partum hemorrhage. It inhibits the growth of

micro-organisms. Cases of catarrhal, membranous and diphtheric croup are

benefited by the vapor of vinegar diffused through the sick room. A

compress saturated in vinegar and placed over the nose until consciousness

returns is recommended to prevent or relieve vomiting, nausea and headache

following the inhalation of chloroform.