DISINFECTANTS. ANTISEPTICS 211 



stronger than that of carbolic acid; it possesses deodorizing prop- 

 ties and is relatively non-toxic. Its disadvantages are the odor, 

 the irritant effect of strong solutions upon the mucous membranes 

 and the partial turbidity of the solutions. 



Phenol. Carbolic acid has a relatively good antiseptic action. 

 A 3 per cent, solution kills most of the organisms concerned in 

 wound infection after prolonged action. It is less effective, how- 

 ever, against tetanus bacilli, rabies virus, tubercle bacilli and 

 anthrax spores. Castration clamps transmitted tetanus 18 months 

 after they were infected, although they were immersed for five 

 minutes in a 4 per cent, carbolic acid solution. The advantages 

 of carbolic acid are that it does not decompose and is constant 

 in its composition. The disadvantages are the odor, high price and 

 the irritant and poisonous properties, the latter especially for cats. 



lodoformum. Iodoform. An excellent, mild antiseptic, which 

 stimulates granulation; may be employed in the form of ether 

 solution (1 : 5-10). The disadvantages are its odor, high price, 

 toxicity for dogs (licking) and insolubility in water. Similar 

 preparations, which are much more expensive and therefore not 

 adapted to veterinary practice, are *loretin, sozoiodol, *losophan, 

 *iodophen, *europhen, *aristol, *iodofonnin, *iodoformogen, iodol, 

 *iodine trichloride (very unstable), and others. 



*Tannoform. The best remedy known at this time for form- 

 mg aseptic scabs, and also a dry antiseptic. Applied early to 

 fresh wounds, it prevents suppuration (healing under a scab). 

 It is to be preferred to iodoform, especially for horses, on account 

 of its stronger antiseptic action, lack of odor and lower cost. The 

 other condensation products of formaldehyde, *glutol, *amylo- 

 form, etc., are more expensive and less constant in their action 

 than tannoform. Liquor formaldehydi in 1 to 2 per cent, solution 

 is a strong disinfectant but very irritant to wounds; in concen- 

 tration it is a strong caustic (caution!). 



Tinctura iodi. Tincture of iodme has been employed recently to 

 disinfect the skin in place of the older and more complicated process 

 (method of Grossich) , being simply painted on the field of operation. 



Argenti nitras. Nitrate of silver is an excellent wound remedy. 



