Latin, Acidum Boricum (Gen., Acidi Borici)

Eng., Boric Acid. Synonym, Boracic Acid. Formula, H3BO3.

Form

May be in scales or crystals, but usually a light, white, very fine powder.

Odor And Taste

Odorless and almost tasteless.

Solubility

In 18 parts of water, 18 parts of alcohol, and 4 parts of glycerin.

1 Musser and Kelly: Practical Treatment.

Incompatibles

Alkali hydroxides and carbonates. Average Dose.-8 grains (0.5 Gm.).

Official Preparations.

Glyceritum Boroglycerini (Gen., Glyceriti Boroglycerini)

Eng., Glycer-ite of Boroglycerin. Synonym, Solution of Boroglyceride. Boric Acid, 310 Gm.; Glycerin, to make 1000 Gm.

Unguentum Acidi Borici (Gen., Unguenti Acidi Borici)

Eng., Ointment of Boric Acid. Boric Acid, 100 Gm.; Paraffin, 50 Gm.; White Petrolatum, 850 Gm.

Therapeutic Action

Antiseptic, mild germicide, and recommended as a urinary antiseptic.

Uses

Boric acid, by mouth or irrigation, is used in the treatment of gonorrhea, cystitis, and some other conditions of the urinary tract, particularly when it is desired to increase the acidity of the urine. It is used as a wash for eye troubles, sores, etc. In the form of the boroglyceride tampons it is employed in vaginitis, metritis, etc. In ointments or dusting powders it is used for sores, dermatitis, prickly heat, and many other superficial conditions. It enters into many mouth-washes, nasal sprays, antiseptic solutions, etc., that are employed in the treatment of nasal catarrh, rhinitis, stomatitis, pyorrhea, etc.

Administration

Boric acid is frequently prescribed in solution. The following will illustrate:

The so-called "saturated solution" is probably best ordered as:

M. ft. sol.

Sig

Apply as directed.

In rendering the urine more acid:

M.

Sig

Tablespoonful in water four times daily.

1 Ashton: Practice of Gynecology.

In the treatment of gonorrhea:

M.

Sig

Tablespoonful in water four times daily.

As a mouth-wash in pyorrhoea alveolaris:

M.

Sig

Use as a mouth-wash.

In the treatment of miliaria:

M.

Sig

Apply locally.

The following illustrates its use in dusting powders: As dusting powder in the treatment of "prickly heat":

M. tere bene simul.

Sig

Apply as directed.

This is best applied by putting the powder in a cloth bag and patting the affected parts with it several times a day, particularly after each bath.

1 White and Martin: Genito-urinary and Venereal Diseases.

2 Musser and Kelly: Practical Treatment.

3. Stelwagon: Diseases of the Skin.,

As a dusting powder in the treatment of hyperidrosis:

M.

Sig

Apply as directed.

It is often used in ointments.

Some combinations are shown in the following: In the treatment of ecthyma:

M.

Sig

Apply on a cloth twice a day.

In the treatment of erythema-:

M.

Sig

Apply thin several times daily.

The following is frequently employed on vaginal tampons:

M.

Sig

For office use.