21'6 IKOEGA-NIC AGENTS 



■with allnimin, it is best not to rely upon this agent for 

 wound disinfection, but to employ normal salt solution for 

 cleansing, followed by hydrogen dioxide. It is only fair to 

 state, however, that corrosive sublimate is still regarded as 

 their antiseptic sheet anchor by many good surgeons for the 

 irrigation of infected wounds and cavities, and for skin disin- 

 fection. 



For hand and skin disinfection Harrington's solution * 

 of corrosive sublimate is perhaps the most effective of any in 

 existence. 



Mercuric bichloride, even in the weaker solution, is too 

 ■damaging to the serous membrane of the peritoneal cavity, 

 and there is too much danger of absorption to warrant, us in 

 usin it in intra-abdominal operations. As a caustic, satu- 

 rated solutions are injected into fistulous tracts: e. g., fistulse 

 «f the withers, " quittor " and " poll evil," to destroy their 

 so-called pyogenic membranes, and hasten repair. There is 

 not much danger of absorption when used in this way. 



Corrosive sublimate is very useful as a parasiticide, in 

 destroying lice, ringworm and the fungus of favus, in solu- 

 tion (1-500 on the unbroken skin. It also relieves itching 

 in pruritus, prurigo and urticaria, but is generally inferior 

 to carbolic acid in this respect. Bichloride solutions may 

 be used in the septic uterus (after removing placental or 

 membranous remains, with the hands, forceps or cxirette), 

 in the strength of 1-3000 or 1-5000. Apart from the body, 

 corrosive sublimate in solution (1-500 or 1-1000) is one of 

 the cheapest and most effective disinfectants for premises 

 infected with the contagion of glanders, anthrax, etc. The 

 walls and floors of stables (after thorough cleansing and 

 washing with soft soap and boiling water), clothing and all 

 paraphernalia, not metallic, can be disinfected by washing, 

 or soaking in solutions of bichloride. Before operations, 

 the operative field should be sterilized by scrubbing with 

 green soap and then with Harrington's solution * after the 



* Harrington's solution consists of : Commercial alcohol ( 94 per 

 cent.), 640 c.c; commercial hydrochloric acid, 60 c.c. ; corrosive subli- 

 mate, 0.8 gm. It is the most powerful preparation for skin disinfection 

 known, rendering the skin sterile in most cases after application for 

 two minutes. 



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