ANTISEPTICS. ^j 



temperatures they resist 5 per cent, carbolic solution for more than 

 ten hours. The septicaemia organism resists 212° F. for a quarter of 

 an hour. In a dry state it is destroyed in ten minutes by a tem- 

 perature of 250° F. The organism of black-quarter is destroyed in ten 

 minutes by immersion in boiling water. When dry it resists a tem- 

 perature of 250° F. for ten minutes. Moist anthrax spores are destroyed 

 in a few minutes b}- a temperature of 212° to 220° F. When dr}' 

 they are onl}- killed after ten minutes' exposure to a temperature of 

 240° F. 



Antiseptics. 



Carbolic acid is used in solutions of i, 2, or 5 per cent, strength. 

 The 5 per cent, is for disinfecting the instruments, seat of operation, 

 abscess cavities, suppurating wounds, and sometimes for exciting slight 

 adhesive inflammation when inserting intestinal sutures. It is unsuit- 

 able for operation and recent wounds, because it strongly irritates the 

 tissues and produces free serous exudation, thus impeding immediate 

 union. The 2 per cent, solution is suitable for irrigating fresh 

 wounds, for disinfecting the hands, and for rinsing out the wound 

 during operation. The i per cent, solution is used for disinfecting 

 certain mucous surfaces and for obstetrical operations. 



Sublimate or bichloride of mercury solution is one of the most useful 

 chemical antiseptics. Koch states that a i in 1000 solution destroys 

 bacteria and most micro-organisms in a few minutes. On account of 

 its toxic character many surgeons restrict its use to the disinfection of 

 the skin and vaginal mucous membrane. For other mucous surfaces 

 and for deep wounds they regard it as dangerous. Nevertheless, in 

 weak solution it is valuable for irrigating surgical and accidental 

 wounds, as it irritates tissues less than carbolic acid. It blackens 

 metallic instruments, destroys their polish, and injures their edge. For 

 obstetrical operations it is sometimes replaced by biniodide of mercury. 

 The strong solution of sublimate is prepared as follows : 



Sublimate . . ,1 part. 



Tartaric acid . • . .5 parts. 



Boiled water . . . 1000 ,, 



The weak solution contains double the above quantity of water. 

 Solutions of I in 3000 to i in 5000 can be used for most mucous mem- 

 branes. As, however, it is decomposed by alkaline salts, distilled water 

 must be used for making solutions, or a small quantit}' of acetic or 

 salicylic acid added to ordinary water before use. To prevent 

 sublimate solutions being decomposed by contact with albumen, five 



