48 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR, 
ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS. 
These medicines act in arresting putrefactions, covering the 
unpleasant smell arising from ulcers, gangrene, &c., and in 
preventing contagion. In this list we are compelled to 
acknowledge some of the mineral class, for they have been 
preved good antiseptics; it will be seen, however, that their 
use is external, 
VEGETABLE CHARCOAL (Carso Liana) 
Is foremost in this list. It is prepared from any kind of 
wood, however, the acacia and poplar trees are said to yield 
the best. It has been known for ages that charcoal had a 
purifying effect on animal matters. Boiled with tainted meat 
it will remove the taint , coarsely powdered and packed in a 
filter, it will purify and sweeten water It has a wonderful 
capacity to absorb gases, cn this acccunt it is valuable in 
certain kinds of indigestion. where gas forms in the stomach 
and bowels. it is alsc valuable in cholera and some bowel 
ecmplaints. During the last visitation cf that plague in 
Russia there was a firm that insisted upou all their employés 
tak:ng a spoonful cf the powdered charcoal in a glass of water 
every time they came to work in the factory, where a large 
number cf hands were employed. It was affirmed that not 
one who ‘cck this valuable antiseptic became a victim, or 
even had tke chclera. 
For fetid breath a teaspconful should be taken occasionally. 
Mixed with slippery elm and yeast it is a splendid poultice for 
foul ulcers and gangrene. It is alsc good as a tooth powder. 
The shell of cocoa or the areca nut and bread, when burnt and 
powdered, make a good sample for this purpose. For 
preparing it on a small scale an iron vessel with a close fitting 
lid, such as a camp oven, must be had. The article to be 
charred is cut up‘in ordinary pieces and placed in the vessel, 
which, teing'covered, is put ona good fire, the fire surrounding 
it kept at a red heat for an hour; it is allowed to cool, then 
