N. MATERIA MEDIC A, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 5*71 



The inference made from these observations is that, if car- 

 bolic acid prevents the growth of germs in wounds, etc., solu- 

 tions of chromic acid, bichromate of potash, and the sulphate 

 of copper have the same property to a still higher degree, 

 and should have the preference, except where their use would 

 be attended with some positively injurious effect. 13^1, 

 March 1, 1872, 95. 



CHEOMIC ACID AS AX ANTISEPTIC. 



Dr. Dougall states that chromic acid, as an antiseptic, is 

 far beyond carbolic acid, and, in fact, may be considered as 

 standing at the very head of the list. In one instance an 

 ounce of ox muscle was immersed for twenty-four hours in a 

 solution of one part of chromic acid in 2000 of water, and 

 then suspended in the air. At the end of six days it became 

 as hard as wood, in which condition it remained three months 

 without mould or taint. The same quantity of ox muscle was 

 soaked twenty-four hours in a solution of one part carbolic 

 acid in 1000 of water, and then suspended in the air, and at 

 the end of six days it was much hardened, colored brownish- 

 black, speckled with mould, and distinctly tainted. Its ac- 

 tion as an antiseptic consists in coagulating the proteine com- 

 pounds, a property which it possesses in the highest degree ; 

 and its power of coagulating the albuminous cells is ten times 

 that of carbolic acid, twenty times that of bichloride of mer- 

 cury, and one hundred and fifty times that of chloralum. It 

 also coagulates, hardens, and oxidizes decomposing organic 

 matter, and when added to putrid flesh, urine, or foecal mat- 

 ter, the offensive odor is soon absolutely removed, the mixt- 

 ure remaining fresh for an indefinite time. 14/1, Jan., 544. 



ACTUAL SANITARY VALUE OF CHL0EALUM. 



Professor A. Fleck has made a chemical examination of the 

 several preparations of chloralum, so freely advertised all over 

 the world by an English establishment, and finds reason to 

 consider them not only as rather indifferent, but as even in- 

 jurious. Of these preparations there are, first, chloralum, 

 claimed to be the safest, most inodorous, and least noxious dis- 

 infectant, and used as an internal and external remedy against 

 sore throat, diphtheritis, etc. ; second, chloralum powder, an 

 antiseptic, and an astringent when eaten in a mixture witli 



