426 
Dichloramin-T  Solvents. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1918. 
trifle  more  camphoraceous  than  eucalyptol  U.  S.  P.  This  euca- 
lyptol  1.2  was  used  as  a  single  solvent  in  making  5  per  cent,  solu- 
tions for  surgical  work  and  was  diluted  with  chlorinated  paraffin  oil 
only  for  naso-pharynx  application  where  the  eucalyptol  would  have 
been  irritating.  The  constant  use  of  these  solutions  made  with  the 
above  solvents  met  with  local  irritation  on  some  patients,  due  to  the 
eucalyptol  if  not  to  partly  decomposed  solutions.  Decomposition  in 
dichloramin-T  solutions  is  recognized  by  the  presence  of  free  chlo- 
rine or  hydrochloric  acid  and  a  separation  of  crystals.  Free  chlo- 
rine or  hydrochloric  acid  may  be  detected  by  holding  an  object  moist 
with  ammonia  a  short  distance  above  the  open  bottle  of  solution. 
The  inability  to  obtain  supplies  of  eucalyptol  in  England  and  the 
rather  disappointing  experience  with  the  solutions  prepared  from 
the  solvents  in  use  was  an  incentive  for  further  work  on  the  part  of 
Dakin  and  his  associates  and  recently4  chlorcosane  was  introduced, 
a  chlorinated  paraffin  wax,  containing  from  45  to  55  per  cent,  of 
combined  chlorine  as  a  single  solvent  possessing  in  every  way  trie 
properties  ideal  for  a  solvent  of  dichloramin-T  in  all  its  uses.  It  is 
a  straw-colored  oil,  odorless,  tasteless,  slightly  heavier  than  water 
and  has  a  viscosity  approximating  that  of  castor  oil. 
Solutions  of  dichloramin-T  are  made  by  heating  chlorcosane  to 
8o°  C.  and  then  adding  the  dry  dichloramin-T,  which  melts  and  goes 
into  solution.  To  this  is  added  a  volume  of  chlorcosane  equal  to 
that  heated  to  8o°  C.  and  then  the  solution  is  filtered  through  paper. 
Solutions  made  in  this  way,  observing  the  caution  of  using  only  per- 
fectly dry  utensils,  will  keep  for  two  to  three  months  or  longer. 
In  using  the  solution  the  following  should  be  observed:  (a) 
Avoid  direct  sunlight;  (b)  if  a  precipitate  appears  which  does  not 
dissolve  on  warming  the  bottle  to  8o°  C.  the  solution  should  be  dis- 
carded; (c)  any  portion  of  solution  poured  from  the  bottle  should 
never  be  returned  to  the  bottle  and  neither  should  any  applicators 
or  instruments  be  inserted  into  the  bottle;  (d)  remember  that  mois- 
ture, light  and  heat  are  arch  enemies  of  the  chemical  and  its  solutions. 
A  specially  constructed  all-glass  atomizer  is  the  most  satisfac- 
tory method  of  application,  but  it  is  necessary  to  refill  the  atomizer 
repeatedly  with  fresh  solution  and  before  doing  so  the  atomizer 
should  be  cleansed  with  chloroform  or  carbon  tetrachloride  and 
dried. 
4  A.  Jr.  Pharm.,  April,  1918,  reprinted  from  the  Chemist  and  Druggist. 
