480 SALTS OF THE HEAVY METALS 



1. Tonic or Alterative, Sometimes useful in addition to iron 

 as a tonic in secondary anemia. 



2. Caustic. Here it is used as a paste with acacia, 1 — 1 to 5, or 

 as a caustic solution in alcohol from 1 to 3 to 10, or as a super- 

 saturated solution in water by aid of hydrochloric acid, or applied 

 in pure form. 



3. Antiseptic. Corrosive sublimate is one of the best antiseptics. 

 It is extremely powerful, solutions as weak as 1 — 20,000 kill most 

 bacteria and a solution of 1 — 10,000, most spores. A few organ- 

 isms such as those of anthrax are more resistant to it. It has, how- 

 ever, several disadvantages ; in the presence of hydrogen sulphide it 

 is converted into the insoluble and inert sulphide. It forms im- 

 permeable albuminates with the proteids of the tissues which pre- 

 vents deep action, is irritant to the tissues, corrodes instruments 

 and may be sufficiently absorbed to produce harm if applied too 

 freely to wounds or mucous membranes. In spite of these objec- 

 tions corrosive sublimate is one of the best agents for preparing 

 the field of operation, the hands of the operator and for irrigating 

 infected wounds and cavities, but should not be used in serous cavi- 

 ties because it is too irritant. For the field of operation and the 

 operator's hands a solution of 1 — 1000 or 1 — 500 may be used. 

 For large cavities or wounds, 1 — 10,000 or 5000 ; for small wounds, 

 1 — 2000 ; for the bladder and vagina, 1 — 20,000 ; and conjunctiva, 

 1 — 5000. Tartaric or citric acid may be added to prevent the 

 formation of the albuminates with the tissues. Hard water par- 

 tially precipitates the salt as the oxide but this may be prevented 

 by the addition of an equal amount of sodium chloride. 



4. Disinfectant. It is useful for stable or other disinfection; 

 may be used as a wash or spray in 1 — 500 to 1 — 1000 for this 

 purpose. 



5. Parasiticide. Solutions of 1 — 1000 in water or alcohol are 

 very serviceable for ringworm, mange or lice, but must be used 

 with caution on account of absorption and danger from the animal 

 licking it off. 



6. Irritant and dbsorhent. Corrosive sublimate is a valuable 

 irritant and absorbent in bony growths, spavin, etc. 



I^ Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi 1. 



Aquae 300. 



Alcoholis TOO. 



M. Ft. Sol. Application for hands and operating areas, lice, 

 mange, eczema. 



B Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi 3 iy 



Acidi Hydrochlorici S jss 



Alcoholis 3 viij 



M. et ad. 



