ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS 



molecule of water combining with the hydrogen to form free HC1 

 and setting free oxygen. 



Dry chlorine gas (45 percent) failed to kill dry anthrax spores 

 in one hour, but when moisture was introduced 4 percent chlorine 

 killed the spores. 



" Chloride of lime ," chlorinated lime, in i percent solution kills 

 most bacteria in one to five minutes. Iodine preparations like 

 chlorine ones are very powerful. They are of great use in medi- 

 cine; ordinary tincture of iodine painted over infected areas acts 

 as a powerful germicidal agent. It is too expensive to use in 

 house disinfection and it is exceedingly destructive to all metallic 

 objects. A 5 percent solution in 50 percent alcohol acts as a 

 splendid disinfectant for intrauterine injection in puerperal sepsis. 

 It is now said that 10 percent iodine tincture in 70 percent alcohol 

 is the most efficacious, practical, medical disinfectant. Many 

 claim it to have the highest penetrating powers. 



Dakin's solution is a mixture of chlorinated lime and sodium 

 carbonate in water and sodium bicarbonate, with an alkalinity of 

 .45 percent. This mixture when in the presence of organic 

 matter decomposes with the formation of hypochlorous acid 

 which may further change into chlorimido (NCI) to which 

 changes the antiseptic action is due. The solution is used for 

 infected wounds, being introduced by methods of infiltration and 

 drainage. It has an irritant effect upon the skin which tissue 

 must be protected. The germ-killing power of this solution is 

 very high. Its use was followed in the great European war, by a 

 marked reduction in spreading and fatal infections from lacerated 

 wounds. 



Chloramin is another product of chlorinated lime, depending 

 on chlorin for its action. Being less toxic it may be applied to 

 tissues or even mucous membranes in 2 percent solution but it is 

 irritating and surrounding surfaces must be protected. 



DicUoramin T. still a chlorine disinfectant, is less irritating than 

 the foregoing but being unstable, must be suspended in an oil like 



