152 The Diseases of Animals 
germs that hinder the healing process that antiseptics 
are used. 
Practically all antiseptics aré poisonous if used in 
concentrated form, and if applied pure would burn and 
destroy the tissues; hence, in practice, it is necessary to 
use them in such a strength that they will destroy the 
bacteria without injuring the living cells of the body. 
Antiseptics are usually applied in solution to wounds,— 
as medicine in this form more certainly penetrates to all 
parts of the wound; and in deep wounds it is often the 
only way antiseptics can be applied, and then only by 
means of a syringe. When antisepties are used in solu- 
tions their strength is easily estimated, and the medicine 
readily and uniformly distributed. Sometimes antisep- 
ties possess other properties than as germicides. 
In addition to the methods of application above de- 
scribed, antiseptics are applied by saturating cotton, 
gauze or similar material, and placing it either in or 
on the wound. In general, it is more satisfactory to 
use weak antiseptics freely and frequently without dis- 
turbing the wound. If they do not prove satisfactory, 
the strength of the antiseptic may be increased. 
Corrosive sublimate, or bichlorid of mercury, comes 
in the form of tablets, with directions for the amount 
of water in which they are to be dissolved. The great- 
est objection to it is its corrosive action on metals. It 
should be kept in glass or earthen vessels. As corrosive 
sublimate is a powerful poison, it should always be 
plainly labeled and kept in a place secure from children 
and others not familiar with its properties and uses. 
It is ordinarily used in the strength of one part of 
