Acts upon the blood, the mucous membranes, the glands, the bones, and the skin, its special action being upon the muco-cutaneous outlets of the body, the mouth, the rectum and anus, and the vagina. Intense irritation is produced, resulting in inflammation and destructive ulceration of the parts, even to gangrene. The whole action of Nitric Acid points to a violent dyscrasia or poison, resembling either the syphilitic, scrofulous, or mercurial miasms. Characteristic symptoms.