6 
EDITORIAL. 
They consider it as a powerful antiseptic. It is correct, but from 
this fact they fancy that it can be used in every instance when 
antiseptic action is needed. As it is not toxic, they believe that 
it can be employed freely and in every circumstance. But then 
in so doing they overlook a great property of that peroxide, viz., 
that it is one of the most powerful destroyers of all organic ele¬ 
ments. Besides that, its decomposition is easy. And this decom¬ 
position is so rapid, when in the presence of an organic sub¬ 
stance, that it can be said that in many circumstances all its anti¬ 
septic properties are lost. 
“ Those are the fundamental conditions which most often 
cause its use to be bad, inefficacious and very inferior to other sub¬ 
stances of current application. 
“ Let us consider a few examples of these practical faults. 
“ Sometimes wounds are washed with it, which would other¬ 
wise heal rapidly. In this case it keeps the cicatrization back, and 
it is only when this is the object in view that such free wash is 
justified. Again, such washing is also applied upon wounds 
which would heal by first intention. Experience has proved that 
in these cases the application must be very discreet. Healing of 
an operating wound is easier and more perfect with a washing of 
strong phenic water or a solution of chloride of zinc than with 
peroxide. 
“ Bv opposition, regions where the secretions are abundant 
and septic are washed with a mixture of simple water and a very 
small proportion of oxygenated water. One can be assured that 
under this condition the antiseptic properties of the peroxide are 
of little use and the dilution has no action. Oxygenated water is 
sold now everywhere. It is not always very pure, without incon¬ 
venience to its antiseptic value. Indeed, it is so much greater 
that the water is more acid and perhaps a little more irritating. 
But it is more so than numerous other antiseptic substances. 
Peroxide is sold in various proportions of strength at 12, 20 and 
even 100 volumes. This is a good thing, as the true manner to 
use it is to employ a very small quantity of the water, very con¬ 
centrated, with a very rapid contact. The addition of sulphuric 
