BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 
two and one-half fluid ounces of the drug in 
one gallon of water. For dressings prior to 
operation, one-half per cent, solution is used. 
(For number of grains required in making up 
solutions, see table.) 
Creolin is another antiseptic used as a disin¬ 
fectant for the hands, and also for the purpose 
of irrigation. A five per cent, solution is suf¬ 
ficiently strong, as a rule. 
Potassium Permanganate is a fairly good 
disinfectant, but its application is limited, be¬ 
cause its action is so quickly rendered inert by 
contact with organic matter. It also stains a 
yellowish brown any object which it touches, and 
the stain requires the application of an acid to 
remove. It is used quite extensively as a deodor¬ 
ant in offensive wounds, for hand disinfection and 
to irrigate cavities. Sixteen to twenty grains of 
the potassium permanganate crystals to each pint 
of water is the strength of the solution gener¬ 
ally used. Oxalic acid (a saturated solution) is 
frequently used to remove the stain of potassium 
permanganate. It is considered to be a more 
powerful germicide than permanganate of potas¬ 
sium, but it is decidedly irritant in its effects. 
Normal Salt Solution is a very valuable 
antiseptic. As a douche and enema it is well 
known. It is also used in intravenous, subcu¬ 
taneous and rectal injections, for its stimulating 
effects after hemorrhage in various dis¬ 
eases; in shock during or after surgical opera¬ 
tions ; in toxemia from any cause. A pint of the 
solution is frequently given by rectal injection 
an hour or two before a surgical operation, as its 
use serves to lessen the possibility of shock, and 
86 
