Vinegar.

Other tomes: Cook - Potter - BPC - King's

Properties: Astringent, tonic, antiseptic.

Use: Vinegar for medical purpose should be made from the juice of apples going through a process of fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation takes place first followed by acid fermentation. Vinegar contracts capillaries and improves the circulation and thus removes congestion. Pure cider vinegar is something every physician should have and even carry in his emergency grip. The writer carries a small bottle in his emergency and obstetrical case. In any form of uterine hemorrhages half vinegar and half water with a little antiseptic added is our best local remedy. If the water that is added is hot it will act more powerfully. In smallpox it is probably our best remedy if given in one tablespoonful doses in a wineglass of water every 2 to 4 hours. One half water and vinegar each is useful as a wash for hands and face. For those that have been exposed to smallpox the same treatment will generally assist in preventing contagion. In all cases disinfection and fumigation with formaldehyde should be strictly enforced. Gargling with vinegar and water is also useful. A gargle made of ½ vinegar and ½ water with a little antiseptic added is a fine remedy in many congestive and ulcerative throat troubles. In fact it is the best general gargle we have. However this solution should be as hot as it can be born to be most effective. In sore throat, ulcerative sore throat, tonsillitis before pus has formed it is the gargle par excellence. The vapor of vinegar inhaled is useful in spasmodic or membranous croup and severe bronchial coughs. For carbolic acid poisoning vinegar is one of our best remedies. In many skin diseases vinegar will relieve the irritation.

The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.