DISINFECTANT 35 



be used for such substances as remove the odour and the putrefaction of the moment 

 but allow them to begin again. Even in this case deodorisers become temporary 

 disinfectants, which character all removers of smell must more or less have. 



Antiseptics, or colt/tic agents. Substances which prevent decomposition. The 

 words colt/sis and colytic come from /co>Ava>, to arrest, restrain, cut short. This word 

 was proposed by the writer to apply to cases such as are included under antiseptics, 

 autiferments, and similar words. There was needed a word for the general idea. A 

 colytic force manifests itself towards living persons in anaesthetics, anodynes, and 

 narcotics, as well probably, as in other ways. Colytics may probably act from dif- 

 ferent causes, but these causes not being separately distinguished, a name for the 

 whole class can alone be given. The action of colysis is entirely opposed to catalysis, 

 which is a loosening up of a compound. Colysis arrests catalysis, as well also as other 

 processes of decomposition, ordinary oxidation for example. Disinfectants, in their 

 character of restraining further decomposition, are included under colytics. One of 

 the most remarkable substances for arresting decomposition is creosote. It has been 

 used in some condition or mixture from the earliest times, The ancient oil of cedar 

 has been called with good reason turpentine, which has strong disinfecting properties, 

 but the word has evidently been used in many senses, as there are many liquids to be 

 obtained from cedar. It is used for the first liquid from the distillation of wood ; and 

 Berzelius for that reason says that the Egyptians used the pyro^igneous acid, which, 

 containing some creosote, was a great antiseptic. But addition of this acid to soda 

 would be of little value in embalming, nor is it probable that they would add a 

 volatile liquid like turpentine along with caustic soda. It is expressly said (in Pliny) 

 that pitch was reboiled, or in other words, the tar was boiled and distilled, the product 

 being collected in the wool of fleeces, from which again it was removed by pressure. 

 In doing this the light oils or naphtha would be evaporated, and the heavy oil of tar, 

 containing the carbolic acid, or creosote, would remain. It was called picenum, as if 

 made of pitch or pissenum, and pisselseum or pitch-oil, a more appropriate name than 

 that of Eunge's carbolic acid or coal-oil, and still more appropriate than the most 

 recent, which by following up a theory, has converted it into phonic acid. The dis- 

 tillation was made in copper vessels, and must have been carried very far, as they 

 obtained ' a reddish pitch, very ^clammy, and much fatter than other pitch.' This 

 was the anthracene, chrysene, and pyrene of modern chemistry. The remaining hard 

 pitch was called palimpissa, or second pitch, which we call pitch in contradistinction 

 to tar. By the second pitch, however, was sometimes meant the product of distillation 

 instead of what was left in the still. Some confusion, therefore, exists in the names, 

 but not more than with us. The pitch oil was resinous fat, and of yellow colour, 

 according to some. This oil, containing creosote, was used for toothache a colytic 

 action applied to living bodies and for skin diseases of cattle, for which it is found - 

 valuable. They also used it for preserving hams. Disinfectants, by the Writer. Jour. 

 Soc. of Arts, 1857, and separate volume 1869. 



It is quite possible that creosote may be the chief agent in most empyreumatic 

 substances which act as antiseptics. But it is not the only agent. Hydrocarbons of 

 various kinds act as antiseptics, as well as alcohol and methylic alcohol, which con- 

 tain little oxygen. To this class belong essential oils and substances termed per- 

 fumes, which are used for fumigation, and have also a colytic action. It is exceedingly 

 probable that the true theory of this action is connected with the want of oxygen. 

 These substances do not rapidly oxidise, but, on the contrary, only very slowly, and 

 that chiefly by the aid of other bodies. Their atoms are, therefore, in a state of 

 tension, ready to unite when assisted. As an example, carbolic acid and creosote 

 unite with oxygen when a base is present, and form rosolic acid. We can scarcely 

 suppose that an explanation, commonly resorted to by some to explain the action of 

 sulphurous acid, would suit them ; viz., that it takes up the oxygen, and so keeps it 

 from the putrescible substance. It is supposible that the molecular condition acts on 

 the putrescible body. For, as the state of motion of a putrefying substance is trans- 

 ferred to another, so may the state of immobility. 



In 1750 Sir John Pringle wrote his 'Experiments on Septic and Antiseptic 

 Substances, with remarks relating to their Use in the Theory of Medicine.' Ha 

 recommended salts of various kinds, and astringent and gummy parts of vegetables 

 and fermenting liquors. Dr. Macbride followed him with numerous experiments. 

 He speaks of acids being the long-prescribed agents as antiseptics. He found them 

 antiseptic even when diluted to a great extent. Alkalis also he found antiseptic, 

 and salts in general. Also ' gum-resins, such as myrrh, assafcetida, aloes, and terra 

 japonica,' besides 'decoctions of Virginia snake-root, pepper, ginger, saffron, con- 

 trayerva root, sage, valerian root, and rhubarb, with mint, angelica, senna, and 

 common wormwood.' Many of the common vegetables also were included as to 

 some extent antiseptic ; such as horse-radish, mustard, carrots, turnips, garlic, onions, 



