For the radical cure of Diabetes there is no known remedy; though some relief may be afforded by a system of dieting. (Vide Aliments.) It is supposed that what we have to do is to convert diabetic sugar, i.e. grape-sugar, into lactic acid. This acid probably exists in the gastric juice. And some such substance as Pepsin, or the decomposing Caseine in sour milk, which is capable of effecting this change out of the body, might perhaps avail us, if we could contrive to introduce it into the blood.
In Oxaluria, the best treatment consists in a course of Nitro-hydrochloric acid. This remedy is prepared by adding one part of Nitric to two of Hydrochloric acid; and is diluted considerably with water when prescribed. The Nitric acid causes the oxidation of some of the Hydrogen of the other acid, and thus sets free Chlorine gas. This is stated by Mr. Brande to go on until the liquid is saturated with this gas. The result of the presence of Chlorine is, that from the affinity of this gas for Hydrogen, by which, under certain circumstances, it is enabled to set free the Oxygen of water, this compound acid becomes the most powerful oxidizing agent known. This acid has been lately used as a remedy for Gout and Rheumatism, in spite of the acid state of the fluids in those cases; and I believe it to be a very valuable medicine in both of these disorders. A simple mineral acid would do no harm in both instances. The Nitro-hydrochloric acid must operate in some special way.
It is probable that its action may depend upon its oxidizing power.
In Oxaluria it might cause the oxalic acid to be oxidized into carbonic acid, and thus restore health. Thus:
C2O3 + O = 2 CO2.
In Rheumatic fever, where we have supposed that lactic acid is formed as it should be, but then stops short, and proceeds no further, the oxidizing agent may convert this into carbonic acid.
In Gout and Lithiasis, where there seems to be an excess of nitrogen in the system, and thus more oxygen is needed to restore the equilibrium, I have supposed that lactic acid and urea are changed together into uric acid. If we adopt this hypothesis, it will be evident that under the above treatment this uric acid may be oxidized back into urea and carbonic acid, and the balance of health restored. Thus:
Uric acid + 6 O + 4 HO = 2 Urea + 6 CO2,
which may thus be proved: