372 HALOIDS OR HALOGENS 



irritating and suffocating fumes ; soluble in 28 parts of water, also 

 soluble in alcohol and ether. 



Action and Uses. It is an escharotic, caustic, irritant, disin- 

 fectant and deodorant as mentioned previously. It has been em- 

 ployed as an escharotic for cancerous growths but has been practically 

 discarded. 



Principal salts are the bromides which have been discussed previ- 

 ously. See page 155. 



CHLORUM — CHLORINE 



This is a heavy, yellowish green gas, with a suffocating odor and 

 caustic taste. It may be prepared by heating together sodium chlor- 

 ide, sulphuric acid and manganese dioxide, or by the action of an 

 acid upon chlorinated lime. 



Preparations. * Liquor Chlori Compositus. Contains at least 

 4 per cent, of gas with some oxides of chlorine and potassium chlor- 

 ide. 



Doses. Not used internally. 



Action and Uses. ' The actions are same as for chlorine but it 

 is used more as a disinfectant and deodorant. It is particularly 

 serviceable as a disinfectant for cesspools, animal discharges, etc., 

 but not for rooms and stables since it is so exceedingly irritant, 

 and besides it is so heavy that it does not diffuse readily. The 

 solution is very unstable, but has been used as a wash for fetid sores 

 and as an intestinal antiseptic. Its use has largely been discontinued. 



CALX CHLORIN ATA — CHLORINATED LIME 



Synonym. Bleaching Powder (improperly called chloride of lime) 



Chlorinated lime is made by passing chlorine over slaked lime 

 and should contain not less than 30 per cent, of available chlorine. 

 It consists principally of hypochlorite and chloride of calcium and 

 occurs as a grayish white powder, with strong chlorine odor and dis- 

 agreeable saline taste. Slightly soluble in water and alcohol. 



Action and Uses. Always as a disinfectant and deodorant. 

 Solutions of from % to 1 per cent, kill most bacteria in ten minutes. 

 One half per cent, solution of freshly prepared chlorinated lime 

 makes an excellent solution for disinfecting walls and clothes. A 1 

 per cent, solution is useful to disinfect animal discharges. 



Dakin's Antiseptic. Dakin devised a carefully standardized 

 neutral solution of the hypochlorites which has given excellent results 

 as an antiseptic in the European war. Carrel, in the Journal of the 

 American Medical Association, December 9, 1916, gives the follow- 

 ing directions for its preparation. The solution must be free from 

 alkali hydroxide, and the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite 

 * UnoflBcial. 



