Organic peroxides have recently been manufactured. By replacing one of the hydrogens in H1O2, HOOH, by acetyl or benzoyl, CH3CO - O - OH, C6H5CO - O -OH, acetyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxides are formed. Many others are possible, but as yet they are all comparatively unstable bodies. When two acetyl radicals are combined, CH3CO - O - O - COCH3, or acetyl and benzoyl, CH3CO - O - O - COC6H5, a more stable series are formed. Acetozone and alphazone are of this general composition.

These organic peroxides have very powerful germicidal effects, and, moreover, as they split off their oxygen very slowly they have some important indications in gastro-intestinal affections that are not met by the more readily decomposable hydrogen peroxide.

They are valuable in gastric and intestinal fermentations and putrefactions, and have given some very striking results in limiting the distention in typhoid fever. That they can influence the disease process as a whole is hardly conceivable, by reason of the wide distribution of the typhoid bacillus, but these newer peracids have been useful in overcoming some of the distressing intestinal symptoms.

Whether they are to prove of service in increasing intracellular oxidative processes is a question of the future.

Both acetozone and alphazone are used in solutions.

A peroxide of bismuth, BiO2, has also been introduced of late years. It is termed biogen commercially and it is claimed that it is valuable in increasing the oxidation functions of the body. It is used in doses of 5 to 10 grains.

Calcium peroxide, gorite, is another of this general type. It is used as an intestinal disinfectant in 2- to 10-grain doses.

The persulphates of sodium and potassium, Na2S2O3, persodines, are commercially obtainable and are under investigation.