alan2102
09-14-07, 11:38
From: ...
Subject: Survival and Austere Medicine (aspirin storage)
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:51:01 -0400
To: ayrman@frontiernet.net
First, congratulations on the excellent volume
Survival and Austere Medicine:
http://www.endtimesreport.com/Survival_Medicine.pdf
Wonderful work. Thanks!
However, I found one point of misinformation that
I think is important:
"Aspirin and ephedrine do break down over time
TO TOXIC METABOLITES and extreme care should be
taken..."
Aspirin does not break down to toxic metabolites.
It breaks down into acetic acid (vinegar-like)
and salicylic acid. Neither is toxic, in ordinary
amounts. Salicylic acid has mild analgesic activity,
like aspirin; not as effective, but better than
nothing. (The upside being that it is much less likely
to cause GI upset or ulceration.) Acetic acid in small
quantities, like vinegar, is harmless.
Old aspirin tablets are said to sometimes smell
like vinegar, because of the released acetic acid.
I personally have not found this to be true. Storing
aspirin for as much as 8 years, I have noticed no
degradation, either by aroma ("vinegar") or by
subjective effects. Seems to work just fine.
I say this is an important piece of misinformation
because aspirin is such a useful medication, and it is
so cheap and easily available (now). It could be the
single most-needed med after a collapse. It is easy
to stockpile a couple thousand tablets, for a few
bucks, and everyone should do this. Following the
standard advice to keep cool/dark/dry, and sealed in
original containers, it should last
for at least a decade. Cheap and excellent insurance.
And even if it does begin to degrade, as I say the
salicylic acid itself is better than nothing.
Please make a correction in the book ASAP.
Thanks!
I will try to post this note on the forum:
http://medtech.syrene.net/forum/
Alan Lewis
Subject: Survival and Austere Medicine (aspirin storage)
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:51:01 -0400
To: ayrman@frontiernet.net
First, congratulations on the excellent volume
Survival and Austere Medicine:
http://www.endtimesreport.com/Survival_Medicine.pdf
Wonderful work. Thanks!
However, I found one point of misinformation that
I think is important:
"Aspirin and ephedrine do break down over time
TO TOXIC METABOLITES and extreme care should be
taken..."
Aspirin does not break down to toxic metabolites.
It breaks down into acetic acid (vinegar-like)
and salicylic acid. Neither is toxic, in ordinary
amounts. Salicylic acid has mild analgesic activity,
like aspirin; not as effective, but better than
nothing. (The upside being that it is much less likely
to cause GI upset or ulceration.) Acetic acid in small
quantities, like vinegar, is harmless.
Old aspirin tablets are said to sometimes smell
like vinegar, because of the released acetic acid.
I personally have not found this to be true. Storing
aspirin for as much as 8 years, I have noticed no
degradation, either by aroma ("vinegar") or by
subjective effects. Seems to work just fine.
I say this is an important piece of misinformation
because aspirin is such a useful medication, and it is
so cheap and easily available (now). It could be the
single most-needed med after a collapse. It is easy
to stockpile a couple thousand tablets, for a few
bucks, and everyone should do this. Following the
standard advice to keep cool/dark/dry, and sealed in
original containers, it should last
for at least a decade. Cheap and excellent insurance.
And even if it does begin to degrade, as I say the
salicylic acid itself is better than nothing.
Please make a correction in the book ASAP.
Thanks!
I will try to post this note on the forum:
http://medtech.syrene.net/forum/
Alan Lewis