The Secrets of Specialists/Chapter 9

Ozone is another product of nature which is fast gaining the confidence of the Medical Profession as a natural therapeutic agent, and while nearly all Sanitariums utilize this adjunct, many office specialists do not consider their equipment complete without the addition of an Ozone generator. Van Marum was, perhaps, the first to identify this gas; although Professor Schoenbein was the first to give it its present name, and christen this agent for therapeutic purposes, in the year 1845, but owing to a deficient means of generating this gas, very little was done to advance its therapeutic value until within recent years; but at the present time, the manufacturers of ozone-producing machines are keeping pace with other inventive skill, and we have offered us many reliable mechanical devices which the physician can utilize to supply ozone to the class of disease in which it is indicated.

All electric currents produce ozone to a certain extent, but in order to generate it in sufficient quantities to be dispensed for its specific influence, it is well to understand the process of liberating this gas. Whenever an electric spark passes through the air, ozone is liberated, and at the same time, nitrous gases and oxides are produced, which are injurious to inhale. It has been demonstrated that the less perceptible spark accompanying the production of ozone, the less amount of these objectionable gases it will contain.

The static machine was formerly used for the purpose of producing ozone, but owing to the poisonous by-products mentioned above, this means of generating ozone has been abandoned for the modern ozone generator where these poisonous gases are eliminated by filtering the ozone through balsamic oils, which not only adds to the agreeableness of the ​treatment, but also to the curative effect of the ozone itself. The following is a favorite formula for the filtering oils:

These oils, after being in use sometime, to purify the ozone, are used in the treatment of many skin diseases and indolent ulcers, for which they make a very valuable dressing. Some advertising physicians have attempted to promote their sale under the name of "Ozone Oils," etc.

Ozone may be administered to the patient by direct inhalation through rubber tubes, from the ozone generator; or, many physicians equip a small room in their offices or Sanitariums, which they call "The Inhalatorium," and allow their patients to occupy this room certain hours of the day, and many sleeping rooms in Sanitariums are impregnated with ozone through the night; thus providing the "mountain air" in any locality which, in my opinion, is the best way to supply this therapeutic agent.

Where patients visit the office and inhale ozone direct from the generator, there can be no stated time allowed for each treatment, as some cases may require longer inhalations than others; therefore the direct inhalation is the best means of treating acute attacks of bronchitis, asthma, etc., but the continuous supply of ozone in the inhalatorium or sleeping room, is the best means of treating chronic diseases of the air passages, and especially consumption, where the continuous influence of this agent may be obtained.

Ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen, and is frequently referred to as a purified, or a highly energized form of oxygen. It will readily be seen what a large field of influence such an agent will have on animal life, in oxygenizing the blood and tissues of the body. As a blood builder and reconstructive it has no equal. Its bacteriacidal properties have long been recognized, and many public places use ozone to purify the air and water, as ozone will rapidly destroy the most objectionable odors. The germs in sewers have been reported destroyed ​to the extent that the filtered water is suitable for drinking purposes.

Ozone can never be recognized as a specific cure for any disease, but like many other things in physio-therapy it has its special sphere of usefulness, and when employed in conjunction with other therapeutic measures, it aids the natural processes by restoring health. In other words, it is one of the reinforcements to other therapeutics in their battle against disease. It might be stated that ozone is indicated in all dis​eases, for pure air is essential in restoring all forms of low vitality. Its special sphere, however, is in the class of diseases which can be treated through the absorbent processes of the air passages. By inhaling ozone we sterilize the air passages, fortify the lungs against invading bacteria; hence, its usefulness in tuberculosis and infectious diseases of the air passages. Its oxidizing effect upon the blood makes it of the greatest value in the treatment of anæmia and chlorosis; also other forms of impaired nutrition, whooping cough, asthma, hay fever, and bronchitis arc always greatly benefited by inhalation of ozone. Syphilis and other morbid conditions of the blood and tissues, rapidly improve under the influence of this therapeutic agent, and although its sphere of remedial value is more pronounced in some diseases than others, it has a universal usefulness in all forms of animal life.