88 METHODS OF STERILISATION 



The three succeeding higher homologues of phenol, viz., the cresols, 

 6 H 4 .OH.CH 3 , are also used in surgery. The so-called kreolin or creolin is a 

 mixture of soap with a tar-oil, containing a small quantity of phenols (cresol, &c.) 

 and a large amount of hydrocarbons. As the last are insoluble in water, a 

 milky emulsion is produced by pouring creolin into that liquid. Lysoland sapo- 

 carbol are mixtures of soap and tar-oils containing more phenols and a smaller 

 proportion of hydrocarbons than the substance last described ; both these 

 mixtures will dissolve in water without producing turbidity. The solubility of 

 the cresols in water is slight : about i part per 100 aq., but can be increased 

 considerably (as ascertained by Hueppe) by the presence of other substances. 

 Thus, when sodium cresotate is used, solveol is obtained. An alkaline aqueous 

 solution of sodium-cresol will absorb a very large quantity of cresol, thereby 

 forming solutol. By adding to a 50-60 per cent, crude carbolic acid about 20 

 per cent, of its weight of mineral oil, a mixture known as saprol is obtained, 

 which is lighter than water and floats when applied to fsecal matter. The 

 suitability of this preparation for the continuous disinfection and deodorisation 

 of the contents of cesspools and closets was tested by SCHEURLEN (I. and II.). 

 Mention of the foregoing seven antiseptics is only made here for the purpose of 

 stating their composition as a matter of interest to the technical chemist. They 

 are, however, unimportant so far as fermentation industries are concerned. A 

 derivative of orthocresol, viz., salicylic acid, C 6 H 4 .OH.COOH,is still occasionally 

 used, e.g. for the preservation of jams, to arrest the formation of mould on wine, &c. 

 The time when H. Kolbe (who held the first patent for the manufacture of this sub- 

 stance on a large scale) strongly recommended its employment has long gone by. 



On the other hand, another derivative of cresol, viz., potassium orthodinitro- 

 cresol, C 6 H 2 .(N0 2 ) 2 .CH 3 .OK, finds extensive employment, its explosibility being 

 entirely done away with by the use of a small addition of gljcerin, soap, &c. 

 The red pasty mass thus obtained is put on the market, as a patented prepara- 

 tion, by the Bayer Farbenfabrik under the name of Antinonnin, this name 

 being given to it on account of its having been first used on a large scale in 

 practice in 1892, for the destruction of the " nonnen " (Monacha) larvae infest- 

 ing the forests of Bavaria and Wiirttemberg. This paste dissolves in water in 

 proportions up to 5 per cent., forming a clear solution, dark yellow in colour and 

 of a soapy smell, possessing no corrosive action and attacking neither metals 

 nor fabrics, but penetrating deeply into wood and other porous substances, and 

 remaining fixed thereiil without volatilising or imparting any odour to the 

 material. Reports on the applicability of this antiseptic are unanimously in its 

 favour. TH. STETTNER (I.), for example, has drawn up an exhaustive account 

 of its usefulness in preserving wood employed for building purposes, and it 

 forms a reliable means for the annihilation of the dreaded dry rot in timber 

 (respecting which, it may be casually remarked, a comprehensive monograph has 

 been written by R. HARTIG (I.) ). To prevent the spreading of this fungus, all 

 the woodwork (and especially that forming the floor joists) is treated, by 

 dipping or brushing the ends to be imbedded in brickwork, with a ^ per cent, 

 (i : 200) solution of antinonnin. Dipping is also recommended for preserving 

 railway sleepers and wood blocks for paving. The latter are at present steeped 

 in creosotic tar, and render the streets malodorous in hot weather by the 

 vapours they evolve. Antinonnin will equally counteract putrescence without 

 inconveniencing the olfactory organs. Telegraph posts, fencing, hop-poles, and 

 vine-props are treated by setting the butt ends in a 0.5 to i per cent, aqueous 

 solution of antinonnin for a day, whereby they will acquire great powers of 

 resistance against rotting. The packing for spaces between ceilings, for which 

 purpose building waste is generally employed, and which is so often the 

 breeding-ground of pathogenic germs (particularly tetanus bacillus), should be 



