306 CARBOLIC ACID GIVEN INTERNALLY. 



logical action would give place to the physiological 

 changes characteristic of the body or part of the body 

 in the healthy state. The discussion of this part of 

 my subject involves the question of treatment of the 

 febrile state, which will be more conveniently deferred 

 until the question of the use of the sulpho-carbolates 

 in contagious diseases and in some other affections has 

 been briefly disposed of (see p. 325). I propose, there- 

 fore, to consider the influence exerted by carbolic acid 

 and its salts, when administered internally. It has been 

 shown that. the local application of carbolic acid and 

 many other substances checks the abnormal growth 

 and multiplication of bioplasm. Can we succeed in 

 effecting a similar beneficial change in internal parts, 

 and checking the redundant growth of bioplasm in the 

 blood, and in the deep organs and tissues of the body, 

 in certain internal inflammations and in the feverish 

 state, by the introduction of any soluble substances 

 into the circulating fluid ? 



Knowing the powerful influence of carbolic acid 

 vapour upon contagious poisons, my friend, Dr. San- 

 som, was led to try the effects of various compounds 

 of carbolic acid introduced into the stomach. Further 

 experience is required before we can decide if these 

 salts do actually destroy the contagious matter while it 

 circulates in the blood ; but, as my friend has obtained 

 some very encouraging results,, it is desirable that the 

 attention of the profession should be at once directed 

 to the subject, for it is only by engaging the interest 



