Hydrogen

(hi’ -drojen) [vdop, water; yevvav, to produce]. Symbol H; atomic weight I; quantivalence I. A combustible, gaseous element, feebly basic, and occurring in nature in greatest abundance combined with oxygen in the form of water, H20. It is present in nearly all organic compounds, and is a constant constituent of acids. H. Monoxid, H20, water. H. Dioxid, or H. Peroxid, H202, an unstable liquid which readily yields up an atom of oxygen, and hence is a powerful oxidizer. It is strongly antiseptic. Aqua hydrogen i i dioxid i (U. S. P.), contains 3 per cent, of pure H202. It is useful as an antiseptic application to inflamed mucous membranes in diphtheria, scarlet fever, gonorrhea, etc., and as a cleansing agent of suppurating cavities. 319