308 INORGANIC AGENTS 



action is followed by local anaesthesia and the production of 

 a dry white spot. If used in sufficient quantity, it leads to 

 sloughing, but the escharotic effect is superficial, since the 

 acid coagulates albumin, which forms a protective coating 

 to the underlying parts. Carbolic acid is an antiseptic and 

 disinfectant, and, in proper solution, acts as a sedative upon 

 the peripheral sensory nerves, and is one of the most 

 efficient agents in relieving itching. It. checks the growth 

 of both organized (bacteria) and unorganized (digestive) 

 ferments. Strong solutions (1-2 per cent.) kill most bacteria, 

 but a considerable time is required to destroy the organisms 

 of certain diseases and those relating to putrefaction. Some 

 hours are required to kill anthrax spores, by even a 5 per 

 cent, solution. Two. per cent, solutions destroy the digestive 

 ferments. Carbolic acid is inferior in power to corrosive 

 sublimate and many other agents, as a germicide. The 

 lower forms of vegetable parasites, growing upon the skin^ 

 perish by the application of carbolic acid. 



Action Lite^mal.— Alimentary Canal. — Carbolic acid exerts 

 a local, anaesthetic action upon the sensory nerve endings 

 in the stomach, and may act to a certain extent in the diges- 

 tive tract as an antiseptic, hindering abnormal fermentation, 

 but is, in this respect, inferior to creolin, napthol and nap- 

 thalin. It is probably converted into a sulpho-carbolate in 

 the stomach. In concentration, carbolic acid is a powerful 

 gastro-intestinal irritant. 



Blood. — Carbolic acid is absorbed into the blood and 

 probably circulates in part as an alkaline carbolate of 

 sodium and potassium. 



Heart and Blood Vessels. — Phenol, in poisonous doses, 

 paralyzes the vasomotor centre and later depresses the heart. 

 The effect upon the vessels is the more important and promi- 

 nent, but neither action is observed after mediciual doses. 



Bespiration. — Therapeutic doses do not influence the 

 respiratory fuDctions, but toxic quantities make the respira- 

 tory movements rapid and shallow at first, owing to stimula- 

 tion of the respiratory centre and peripheral vagi, while 



