Antiseptics 153 



bichlorid of mercury, by weight, to one thousand parts 

 of water for external application. 



Carbolic acid probably ranks next to bichlorid of 

 mercury in frequency of use as an antiseptic. It is 

 dissolved in water and used in the strength of two 

 and one -half to five per cent; one part of acid to forty 

 parts of water is the strength ordinarily used for the 

 treatment of wounds on animals. For a strong anti- 

 septic or disinfectant, one part of acid is added to 

 twenty parts of water, making a five per cent solution. 

 Pure carbolic acid is a caustic and will destroy tissues 

 by burning. Carbolic acid is poisonous. 



Copper sulfate, commonly called bluestone or blue 

 vitriol, is an excellent antiseptic and possesses as- 

 tringent properties as well, — that is, it tends to pucker 

 the tissues. It can be used in solution, in the strength 

 of from two to four drams in a pint of water. For 

 certain purposes it can be made much stronger. Copper 

 sulfate, finely pulverized and dusted on a wound, is a 

 mild caustic; a crystal of it rubbed on a surface acts 

 as a caustic and is useful to check bleeding. An 

 ointment that is useful in treating old sores can be 

 made by mixing one part of finely pulverized copper 

 sulfate and one part of sulfur with four parts of fresh 

 lard or vaseline. Sulfate of copper is the basic material 

 used in the making of Bordeaux mixture, so much 

 used by farmers as a spraying material. 



Zinc sulfate, commonly called white vitriol, is an 

 astringent and antiseptic, and is used in the strength of 

 one part of zinc sulfate in thirty to sixty parts of 

 water, or two to four drams to a pint of water. 



