ANTISEPTICS, DISINFECTANTS, AND GERMICIDES 63 



Lysol. This is a coal-tar product closely related 

 to carbolic acid, but far less poisonous. It is largely 

 supplanting the latter for hand disinfection and in 

 obstetric practice. It is used in i to 5 per cent, solu- 

 tion. 



lodin. This is one of the most efficient germicides we 

 possess. In the form of the tincture it is used to cauter- 

 ize corneal ulcers and as an application to indolent ulcers 

 and suppurating surfaces. A i : 1000 solution in water is 

 used for hand disinfection. It has the disadvantage of 

 staining the hands, which must be decolorized with 

 solution of ammonia. It is coming into frequent use on 

 the Continent for preparing the field of operation, the 

 skin being simply swabbed with the tincture and all 

 scrubbing dispensed with. 



Its greatest use is in the preparation of catgut liga- 

 tures, which it not only renders sterile, but antiseptic, 

 thus tending to prevent stitch abscess. 



Potassium Permanganate. This is a germicide for- 

 merly much used in hand disinfection. It stains the 

 skin a mahogany brown, and it is necessary to follow 

 its use with a solution of oxalic acid to remove the stain. 

 Its use now is restricted mostly to the treatment of 

 gonorrhea. 



Formalin is a 40 per cent, solution of formaldehyd 

 gas. It is a powerful germicide, and owing to its gas- 

 eous nature is the best disinfectant we possess for fumi- 

 gating rooms, dwellings, cars, etc., after contagious dis- 



