IODINE  AND  CARBOLIC  ACID. 
329 
perplexing  obstacles,  and  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired  by  even 
the  most  fastidious. 
Very  respectfully,  yours,  A.  S. 
IODINE  AND  CARBOLIC  ACID. 
By  Charles  Bullock. 
A  solution,  containing  iodine,  carbolic  acid  and  glycerin,  has 
been  introduced  to  the  medical  profession  by  Dr.  Percy  Boulton, 
who  claims  for  it  therapeutic  virtues  of  superior  efficiency. 
Dr.  Boulton's  solution  is  prepared  as  follows : 
R  Tinct.  Iodini  Comp.,  rri  xlv. 
Acid  Carbolic  Cryst.  (fusa),        .        .        rri  vi. 
Glycerine,         .....  5  viii. 
Aq.  Destillat   3  v. 
The  iodine  color  gradually  disappears,  and  the  solution  event- 
ually becomes  colorless.  The  ftime  necessary  to  complete  this 
change  depends  on  the  temperature — at  60°  F.  eight  to  ten 
days  are  required ;  if  the  cork  of  the  bottle  is  secured  and  the 
mixture  exposed  in  a  water  bath  to  a  temperature  of  from  90° 
to  100°  F.  the  change  will  be  effected  in  eight  or  ten  hours. 
The  change  takes  place  as  quickly  in  diffused  light  as  in  direct 
sunshine,  provided  the  temperatures  are  equal.  The  solution 
exposed  to  sunshine  becomes  somewhat  turbid  and  deposits  a 
muddy  precipitate. 
The  change  is  due  entirely  to  the  carbolic  acid,  glycerin  alone, 
under  similar  conditions,  effecting  no  change  in  the  iodine  solu- 
lution,  while  carbolic  acid  acts  equally  well  with  or  without  the 
presence  of  glycerin. 
The  character  of  the  change  is  probably  the  transformation  of 
the  iodine  into  iodide  of  formyle  (iodoform)  at  the  expense  of 
the  carbon  atoms  of  the  carbolic  acid. 
The  solution  possesses  antiseptic  and  stimulant  properties  in 
a  marked  degree,  and  has  met  with  favor  as  an  application  in 
the  form  of  injections,  gargles  and  lotions  "in  cases  of  sore 
throat,  ozoena,  abcesses  in  the  ear,  and  foul  or  indolent  ulcers." 
It  has  also  been  recommended  as  an  injection  in  cases  of  in- 
ternal hsemorrhoides,  and  by  inhalation  for  throat  and  bronchial 
affections.  When  used  for  inhalation  the  glycerin  can  be  omitted. 
Philadelphia,  June,  1858. 
