ANTISEPTIC AGENTS. 53 
strong solution (5 per cent) can be used to disinfect instruments and 
the operating field, to cleanse abscesses, suppurating surfaces, and to 
stimulate a slight adhesive inflammation in intestinal sutures(Chaput). 
It should not be used for wounds consequent on the operations 
or for recent injuries, where cicatrization by first intention is looked 
for, because it greatly irritates the tissues, and produces a serious 
hypersecretion which prevents immediate union. The weak solution 
(2 per cent) is proper for the washing of recent wounds, and the 
disinfection of the hands during the operation. A solution at 1 per 
cent is employed for the disinfection of some mucous membranes and 
for obstetrical operations. 
_ Bichloride of mercury (subfmate) is one of the most powerful chem- 
ical antiseptics. Koch has shown that a solution of 1 to 1000 
destroys in a few minutes bacteria and most of the spore-micro- 
organisms. On account of its toxicity, many surgeons use it only 
for the disinfection of the skin and of the vaginal mucous mem- 
branes; they find it dangerous for other membranes and _ for 
bleeding surfaces. It may, however, be used in weak solution for 
the washing of wounds made by the operations, or those which’ 
are the result of accidents; it irritates less than phenic acid. Its 
use is not advised for the disinfection of metallic instruments ; it 
blackens them and destroys their polish and their sharpness. Some 
practitioners, in its place, use the bi-iodide of mercury for obstetrical 
‘operations and the oxycyanide of mercury for the preparation of 
the instruments. (Chibret, Trasbot). 
The strong aqueous solution of corrosive sublimate is made as 
follows : 
Corrosive sublimate....-.0.-sseceee rere seeerens sees I gramme 
Tartaric acid... 2.1... sce cece cee e rere cece cree reeeeee 5 do 
Boiled water.... cc. sseeccee cece ce en cere eece scenes 1oo0 «= do 
The weak solution is obtained by adding 1oco grammes of water 
to the preceding. Solutions of 1 to 3000 or 1 to 5000 can be used for 
asepsis of most of the mucous membranes. With the lozenges and 
the wafers of sublimate made use of to-day, nothing is easier than 
to prepare those solutions extemporaneously. 
The alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate—excellent for the disin- 
fection of the hands, and of the operating field—and sublimated 
waseline are prepared as follows: 
Alcoholic solution. 
Corrosive sublimate......c-eceersee ence rene eree eres 2 grammes 
Alcohol (g0°).-+ sseeseeeee ose! [sisitipetiavejae-e Saree 1000 grammes 
1 gramme 
Alcohol... sccecececceneceeeececseeneeneress .. Io grammes 
Vaseline. csccccccccecceccccenerteraaccenneen ceases 1000 grammes 
