354 
NOTE  ON  CARBOLIC  ACID,  ETC. 
alkaline  to  either  wet  or  drj  test  papers,  and  that  it  does  not 
smell  very  strongly  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen. 
When  applied  to  the  skin  of  full  strength  it  turns  it  white,  and 
shrivels  it  somewhat,  producing  a  smarting,  tingling  numbness, 
which  is  diminished  by  holding  the  part  low,  but  increased  by 
holding  it  high.  It  is  easily  washed  off,  but  leaves  a  mark  of 
red  irritation,  which  on  delicate  surfaces  produces  desquamation 
even  from  momentary  contact.  The  free  application  of  sweet 
oil  tends  to  allay  this  irritation  and  allay  the  smarting.  When 
swallowed  in  quantity  it  is  an  irritant  poison,  and  very  rapid  in 
its  action.  As  it  readily  mixes  in  all  proportions  with  all  oils 
and  glycerin,  the  very  first  thing  to  be  done  in  any  case  of  poi- 
soning by  it  is  to  administer  any  oil  that  is  nearest  at  hand,  but 
the  more  bland  the  better,  and  this  in  large  quantity  proportion- 
ate to  the  quantity  swallowed.  If  no  other  oil  be  near  by,  lard 
or  butter  are  better  than  kerosene,  but  the  latter  should  be  used 
rather  than  wait  even  a  short  time  for  a  better.  As  soon  as 
practicable  after  the  oil,  an  emetic,  consisting  of  a  large  tea- 
spoonful,  or  two  teaspoonfuls  each  of  mustard  and  common  salt, 
stirred  quickly  into  about  half  a  pint  of  lukewarm  water,  should 
be  given,  and  its  operation,  if  not  prompt,  should  be  facilitated 
by  draughts  of  lukewarm  water.  It  is  not  a  virulent  poison  in 
any  reasonable  or  probable  quantity,  and  a  thorough  evacuation 
of  the  stomach  will  commonly  ensure  safety. 
The  uses  of  the  creasote,  undiluted  and  undissolved,  are  as 
yet  few,  and  are  altogether  sanitary  or  hygienic, — never  medi- 
cal, and  rarely  as  a  disinfectant  for  medical  uses.  Smeared  over 
surfaces  which  are  out  of  the  way  of  ordinary  contact,  and  where 
it  is  not  liable  to  be  rapidly  washed  away  by  drainage  or  sewage, 
its  application  lasts  much  longer  than  that  of  any  solution,  and 
is  therefore  better  for  places  not  easily  accessible.  But  it  is 
scarcely  doubtful  that  the  same  quantity  applied  repeatedly  at 
intervals  in  solution,  would  produce  double  the  useful  effect. 
Undiluted  it  may  be  applied  to  the  sides  and  ceilings  of  cellars, 
water  closets,  stables  and  out-houses,  and  to  the  mouths  and 
throats  of  drains,  sewers,  garbage  receptacles,  etc.,  and  to  close 
alley-ways  and  passages.  But  for  many  of  these  uses  it  is  best 
applied  diluted  with  some  non-drying  oil,  as  whale  oil,  or  other 
