The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-06-21

This peculiar substance which is ex.
tracted from coal tar, has been unfortu-
nate in its name, in the first place from
its similarity to a very different thing,
Carbonic Acid; and, in the second place
from the fact that it is not sour, and has
none Of the qualities of an acid any way.
As, however, it is coming into general
use, we think the following facts in rea-
ton to its nature and effects, from an ar
ticle by Prof. j. Darby, in the american
Grocer, will help to a better understand
ing of the valuable material -
Carbolic acid is prepared by treating
what was called the light oils (benzines)
from the distillation of coal with dilute
alkalis and carefully distilling the pro.
ducts which are heavier than water, the
alkali being previously neutralized by
muriatic acid. 1t is seldom found pure,
it having more or less Of crisylic acid in
it, and often other closely related bodies.
Carbolic acid is solid at ordinary TEN.
perature, melting at l06' Fahrenheit and
soluble in twenty parts Of water; is a
powerful antiseptic and disinfectant pre-
venting putrefaction and fermentation.
Its whole effect is due to its arresting
change. 1t is simply a preventative. AS
an antiseptic. it prevents change in the
materials. As disinfectant, it accom-
plishes the result by the same means
that is kills the spores, if malaria con-
sists Of such, or arrests chemical change
if malaria is putrescing material. Car
bolic acid is powerful poison. Every
one has known that creosote is poisonous,
and carbolic acid is only new name for
an old, well-known material, only less
crude. Creosote will do all that is
claimed for carbolic acid
1t is an active poison, acting directly
on the nervous system, and may cause
death indeed, death has cnsued from its
application to an aching tooth. In the
Glasgow Royal Inirmary the records
show that when dressings in amputations
and compound fractures contained no car
bollc acid, one case in four and quarter
died, with carbolic acid in the dressings
one in three died !; showing that the use
u S"ipoiiS a0iu was poSitiNciy Injurious
1t coagulates the vital fluids of the body
, and Of course stops vital action. In the
hands of skillful physicians, carboliG
/; acid is susceptible to important uses
r but for family use it is no more appro
D pirate than arsenic or corrosive subj
: mate.
1 Its application, when not very mucl
t diluted, produces effects very similar t.
t that of burns, bistering the skin and pro
o ducing sore that can be cured by tn
treatment that would cure burn. 1t i
offered to the public in all forms, a
soaps, washes, salves, and also as med
icine for various diseases, empyrics takin
# advantage Of its popularity to render
I available for their profit. That it is 70
}, many purposes very useful, is not TO b
denied but it is very evident that
a should be used with caution and care
}. We have used these carbolic soaps upo
our own hands and face, and carboli
acid for disinfecting purposes, and recon
mend it. Our article is not designed
deter any one from its use as disinfectin
70 agent but to give people who use it tn
" knowledge of its properties they ought
!. possess.