68 WOUNDS AND BKUISES. 



BINIODIDE OF MERiCURY (p. 620). 



BORIC (BORAGIC) ACID (1 to 20 of water) makes a feeble anti- 

 septic lotion which has the advantage of being entirely unirritating. 

 For foul wounds, a saturated solution should be used. 



BICARBONATE OF SODA (baking soda) closely resembles boric 

 acid in its action as an antiseptic, and can be employed at the same 

 strength. 



OIL OF TURPENTINE.— Mr. Banks (" Liverpool Med. Chir. 

 Journal," July, 1889) states that ''some agents, like the per- 

 chloride of iron, are admirable styptics, and some, like iodoform, 

 chloride of zinc and carbolic acid, are most effective antiseptics ; 

 but I know of no remedy which combines the tAVO properties to the 

 same extent as common turpentine, while at the same time acting 

 as a direct stimulant to healthy granulation. The only objection 

 that can be urged against its use is that it may be painful. In the 

 case of a clean cut wound it is painful for some hours, but its 

 application causes no suffering at all in the case of old wounds, 

 sinuses or abscess cavities. The single word of caution in employ- 

 ing it is to see that it does not come on the skin, which it blisters. 

 There is no remedy at all to be comj^ared to it in its power of 

 cleaning up old sinuses or sweetening sloughing wounds." Its 

 cheapness and the ease with which it can be usually obtained are 

 advantages in its favour which are well worth remembering 



EUCALYPTUS OIL is an excellent application to sores and 

 unhealthy wounds. In this respect its value will be increased by 

 adding to it as much iodoform as it will dissolve. 



CHLORIDE OF ZINC, when used at a strength of 40 grains to 

 I oz. of water, is an admirable application for foul wounds which 

 cannot be regularly dressed, as it will keep them healthy for three 

 or four days. It is irritating to the skin, but has the advantage 

 of not being volatile. 



PARAFFIN OIL is a good antiseptic for sores and unhealthy 

 wounds, but should be used sparingly, as it will irritate the part, 

 if employed freely. It is easily obtainable. 



Although CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE (mercuric chloride) is 

 l.'irgely used in surgery, I do not include it in the above list, because 

 it coagulates albumin, which is a large constituent of the blood 

 and tissues, and is consequently apt to form clots which would 

 serve to protect putrefactive matter from its antiseptic action. The 

 albuminate of mercury which is thus formed has no antiseptic 

 power. Also, corrosive sublimate solutions have very little pene- 



