A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    became oedematous. The agent had no effect upon the exudation. Two conclusions can be drawn from such an imprudent application ; first, it entirely failed to accomplish the object which the practitioner had in view, and secondly, it masked the characteristic appearance of the disease. Inhalations of carbolic acid mingled with air at a high temperature are said by A. E. Samson Antiseptic System, London, 1871, p. 91) to possess decided advantages over any other means of using this agent as a local application in Phthisis or Bronchitis. The carbolic acid is liquefied by the addition of alcohol and the liquid allowed to fall a few drops at a time upon an appropriately heated surface. An ordinary thick tea-cup or egg-cup, which has previously been heated in the oven or by allowing a small quantity of alcohol to burn in the cup until it is extinguished, is first prepared, then the mixture of carbolic acid and alcohol is poured a few drops at a time while the patient inhales the resulting vapor. The first effect is a slight disposition to increase the cough; soon, however, tolerance is established; the Cough is diminished, the Expectoration is decreased, and the Fetor is corrected. The treatment is not adapted to instances in which haemoptysis is likely to occur. Tissie (^Revue de Laryng. Otol. ei de RhinoL, May i, 1891) employs carbolic acid in combination with aqua ammonia and alcohol as an inhalant. Five grams each of the acid and ammonia water are added to ten grams of alcohol in 15 grams of water. A few drops are poured upon a piece of absorb- ent paper and inhaled. Diseases of the Kye.—Carbolic acid being more irritating and less efficient than some other antiseptics, is not much used by ophthalmic sur- geons except to disinfect their hands and instruments. For the latter purpose a four per cent, solution is used. The keen edges of delicate knives, however, are liable to be impaired by it, and boiling water or alcohol with careful wiping with absorbent cotton is preferable. The late Dr. Williams, of Cincinnati, strongly recommended carbolic acid as a caustic in the treatment of Indolent or Sloughing Ulcers of THE Cornea. He applied it by means of the end of a small probe dipped into the pure acid. Glycerite of carbolic acid'' (one part to four—not official), has been recommended as an application to Granular Lids, but has not met with general acceptance. ''Phenol SoDiQUE. Phenol Sodique is a proprietary article. It is here conveniently treated under the general heading of carbolic acid. In its preparation a crude carbolic atid-phenol, together with a group of hydrocarbons, ethers and acids (notably cresylic acid) obtained by the distillation of coal tar, is neutralized by the addition of soda, the result giving a non-irritating