What is ACID?

(as’ -id) A name loosely applied to any substance having a sour taste. A compound of an electro-negative element with one or more atoms of hydrogen which can be replaced by electropositive or basic atoms. s vary in their terminations according to the quantity of oxygen or other electro-negative constituent. Those having the maximum of oxygen end in -ic; those of a lower degree in -lt;gt;us. Where there are more than two combinations the preposition hyperis prefixed to the highest, and hypoto the lowest. s that end in -ic, as sulphunV acid, form salts terminating in -ate; those ending in -ous form salts terminating in -ite. Physiologically, acids in concentrated form act as caustics; diluted and in medicinal doses they check acid-producing and increase alkaline secretions. A., Abietic. SeeAbietic. A., Abric A., Aceric, found in the juice of Acer campestre, the common English maple. A., Acetic, an acid solution composed of 36 parts of absolute acetic acid Has strong acid properties. Miscible with water and alcohol. A., Acetic, Glacial, the absolute acid in crystalline form. An escharotic. A., Acetic, Dilute, contains six per cent, of absolute acid. Dose Sj-ij. An impure form obtained by the destructive distillation of wood is known as wood vinegar, or pyroligneous acid. A., Acetic, Test. See Tests, Table of. A., Aconitic It may be obtained by heating citric acid alone or with concentrated HC1. It crystallizes in small plates, that A Ive readily in alcohol, ether and water, and melt at lS6A