446 
SPONGE  TENTS. 
every  four  hours),  are  decomposed  in  the  system  into — a,  car- 
bolic acid,  which,  traversing  the  system,  is  exhaled  by  the 
breath ;  5,  sulphate  of  soda,  which  permeates  the  tissues,  and  is 
excreted  by  the  urine.  Though  carbolic  acid  cannot  be  detected 
in  the  tissues  after  death,  it  is  shown  that  an  influence  enabling 
the  body  to  resist  putrefaction  has  been  exerted ;  the  urine 
passed  also  resists  decomposition.  Prolonged  courses  of  sulpho- 
carbolate  of  sodium  given  for  two  months  to  phthisical  patients 
show  that  the  drug  could  be  administered  not  only  with  impunity, 
but  with  considerable  advantage.  Of  35  cases,  13  greatly  im- 
proved, 15  considerably  improved  ;  9  cases  gained  in  weight  an 
average  of  2J  lbs. — Loud.  Pharm.  Journ.^  May^  1869,  from 
Medical  Times  and  Qazette. 
SPONGE  TENTS. 
By  J.  B.  Hough,  M.  D.,  Ridgeville,  Ohio. 
Knowing  the  fact  that  absolute  or  strong  alcohol  will  quickly 
set  the  fibres  of  common  sponge,  after  having  been  moulded  or 
compressed  into  any  given  size  or  shape,  I  was  led  to  the  follow- 
ing quick  and  easy  method  of  preparing  sponge  tents,  tampons, 
etc.  : 
The  sponge  is  first  thoroughly  moistened  with  water  and 
pressed  as  dry  as  the  strength  of  the  hand  will  permit ;  then 
having  formed  it  into  the  desired  shape  and  size  by  the  hand,  or 
by  pressing  it  into  a  quill  or  any  other  tube  or  mould  it  is  im- 
mersed into  the  alcohol.  If  the  spirit  is  sufficiently  strong,  (90 
to  100  pr.  ct.)  the  sponge  is  immediately  set  into  the  given 
shape,  which  it  retains  perfectly  after  the  pressure  or  mould  is 
removed.  It  is  then  hard,  firm  and  inflexible  and  may  be 
trimmed  to  a  sharp  point  or  any  other  desired  shape. 
To  restore  it  to  its  former  size  and  shape  it  is  only  necessary 
to  moisten  it  with  a  few  drops  of  water.  The  alcohol  sets  the 
sponge  perfectly,  whether  the  amount  of  compression  be  much 
or  little,  so  that  the  degree  of  dilatation,  attainable  by  the  use  of 
tents  thus  prepared,  will  of  course  depend  upon  the  size  after 
moulding  and  the  degree  of  pressure  used.  As  this  process  of 
preparation  works  perfectly  and  witJiout  delay  its  advantages  are 
obvious.— TAe  Qin.  Lan.  and  Oh.,  July,  1869. 
