Nature and Production. Whenever an electric
spark passes through the air, ozone is liberated. Ozone is known under
the chemical symbol O3 and is an allotropic form of oxygen.
At the same time that ozone is liberated, nitrous and nitric oxides are
also produced. The less the perceptible spark accompanying the production
of ozone, the less the amount of these objectionable oxides, and in administering
the ozone, it is necessary by filtration or otherwise, to dispose of these
gases.
Physiological Action. Ozone increases the
oxygenation of the blood and tissues, increasing oxyhemoglobin and also
increasing the number of red blood corpuscles. It is claimed that a decrease
in white blood corpuscles is produced if they are above normal. In strongly
concentrated form, ozone is destructive in its effect on mucous membranes
and even to life itself. Germs are destroyed by it and it has been shown
capable of so thoroughly disinfecting sewage that the filtered water was
pronounced suitable for drinking purposes. It is distinctly deodorant and
even a small ozonizer running in a room will quickly destroy the most objectionable
odors.
In a Chicago bank an ozone machine was placed in
a room where six employees were working. Their weight and chest expansion
was taken at the time the machine was installed and again in sixty days.
The result is shown in the following table:
No. | Nov. 6 | Jan. 6 | Nov. 6 | Jan. 6 | Nov. 6 | Jan. 6 |
1 | 127.5 | 128.25 | 35. | 36. | 31. | 32. |
2 | 118. | 121.5 | 34.25 | 36. | 31.5 | 31.5 |
3 | 130. | 131.25 | 35.25 | 36.5 | 30. | 30.5 |
4 | 123. | 126.75 | 34.25 | 36.75 | 30.5 | 30.5 |
5 | 131. | 138.5 | 35. | 37.5 | 30.5 | 31. |
6 | 118. | 117.50 | 31.75 | 32.5 | 29. | 29. |
In view of the reputation and standing of the physicians
making this report, more than ordinary consideration should be accorded
the statements.
Dosage. It is claimed that large amounts
of ozone are capable of producing death, and that rabbits have succumbed
in ten minutes in an atmosphere containing eight milligrams of ozone to
the litre. The proper proportion for therapeutic inhalation is one, two
or three milligrams to the litre. Inhalations given in a physician's office
last from ten to twenty minutes and may be repeated frequently. The indication
that the patient has had a sufficient dose is usually a slight sensation
of lightheadedness.
Tuberculosis of the Lungs. Daily inhalations
of ozone in connection with auto-condensation. Ozonizing the air of the
patient's room is the best method of employing ozone in this disease. H.
De La Coux, Chemical Expert to the Council of the Prefecture of the Seine,
Paris, says: "In application of ozone for tuberculosis, it is an undeniable
clinical fact that the number of bacilli in the sputum diminishes after
the second or third treatment, even before the general condition of the
patient is improved."
Dr. George Stoker, London, reports nine cases of
tuberculosis treated within a year at the Stoker Oxygen Hospital, of which
eight were discharged with the disease definitely arrested.
Dr. J. T. Gibson says in Advanced Therapeutics:
"In advanced cases with cavities and much expectoration, I think there
is no means of so much use as inhalation of ozone. It empties the lungs
of detritus and pus, revivifying the blood, disinfecting the parts of the
lungs reached, and after the first irritation of its use has passed off,
there is nothing that gives the lungs the sense of rest and quiet as does
this agent. I have seen the quantity of sputum lessened to a most remarkable
degree, and fever disappear, and all symptoms improve by the use of ozone
inhalations."
Sletoff has treated 147 cases of tuberculosis with
ozone with favorable results.
Anemia and Chlorosis. In a paper read before
the American Pediatric society, Boston, Dr. A. Caille reports the favorable
influence of ozone in a number of cases of chlorosis and anemia as well
as other diseases, and in his conclusion, says: "In chlorosis and anemia,
ozone inhalations are exceedingly valuable from a therapeutical standpoint,
and give better and prompter results than any other form of medication."
Chronic Middle-Ear Deafness and Tinnitus.
Dr. Stoker of the London Throat Hospital and of the Oxygen Hospital, has
published a series of twelve cases of chronic dry catarrh of the middle
ear with deafness and in nearly all with tinnitus, which were treated with
an ozone spray. Improvement, sometimes remarkable, occurred in every case.
The technique consisted in passing the ozone "in
a gentle current through an eustachian catheter into the middle ear for
about four minutes at a time, the operation being repeated several times
a week, daily if possible.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis). The efficacy
of ozone in treating whooping cough has been attested by many authorities,
among them being Caille, L'Abbe, Derecq, Coumer, Delherm, Bordier and Oudin.
In practically all of these cases the ozone was administered in ten to
twenty minute inhalations. Ozonizing the air in the patient's room should
prove a better method.
Says L'Abbe: "My personal experience rests on over
100 cases. In all I have obtained amelioration, prompt and rapid at first,
and later a complete cure in a time ordinarily covered by a very light
attack. Ozone is the remedy par excellence for whooping cough."
Asthma, Bronchitis and Hay Fever are benefitted
or cured by ozone. Inhalations combined with ozonization of the air of
the room is the method; the latter being more efficacious.
Hay fever victims have found that the use of a room
atomizer constantly for two or three months prior to the expected attack
has prevented the latter from coming on. During the attack inhalations
have given great relief.
Insomnia. Daily inhalations for ten or fifteen
minutes, or have patient sleep in a room with an ozonizer in operation.
Pneumonia. Ozonize the air in the room, keeping
the machine near the head of the patient's bed.
Nervous Debility, etc. Three to six ozone
inhalations per week, preferable in connection with auto-condensation or
with vacuum tube sparks.
Other Diseases. On account of its oxidizing
properties, ozone should be a valuable adjunct to auto-condensation in
diabetes, gout, obesity, etc.
Its beneficial action in syphilis has been attested
by many physicians.