The recent advocacy of permanganate of potassium as an antidote to morphin, in cases of poisoning, recalls the treatment of snake bite and other similar applications of this therapeutic agent, and invites to the study of the chemic and physiologic considerations upon which its employment is based.
About 1885 Condy introduced permanganate of potassium into medical practice as an agent having special power in infectious conditions. He presented it in the form of a solution, which also contained aluminum sulphate, the latter being added to increase the oxidizing effect of the permanganic acid. He asserted that he had found by experiment, that in this form and combination all the available oxygen of the permanganic acid is utilized, whereas only about 60 per cent, of this amount is obtained when the simple alkalin permanganate is used, as in the ordinary solution, which is generally called Condy's Fluid, and which was officinal