Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-08-30

eliseellaay.
CARBOLIC ACID.

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 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 rela-
ton to its nature and effects, from an ar
ticle by Prof. j. b. Darby, in the Ameri
can Grocer, will help to better under
standing of this valuable material -
Carbolic acid is prepared by treating
what is called the light oils (benzines)
from the distillation of coal with dilute al
kalies and carefully distilling the products
which are heavier than water, the alkah
being previously neutralized by muriatic
acid. 1t is seldom found pure, it having
more or less of cresylic acid in it, and
often other closely related bodies. Car
bolic acid is solid at ordinary tempera-
ture, melting at 106 deg Farenheit and
soluble in twenty parts of water; it is II
powerful anticeptic and disinfectant, pre-
venting putrefaction and fermentation.
Its whole effect is due to its arresting
change. 1t is simply preservative. AS
an anticeptic, it prevents change in the
materials. As a disinfectant,s it ac-
complishes the result with 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 a new name for an
old, well-known material, only less crude.
Creosote will do all that is claimed for
carbolc acid
1t is an active poison, acting directly on
the nervous system, and may cause death
indeed, death has ensued from its applica-
ton to an aching tooth. In the Glasgow
Royal Infirmary the records show that
when dressings in amputations and COM
pound fractures contained no carbolic
acid, one case in four and quarter died,
with carbolic acid in the dressings, one in
three died; showing that the use of car
bolc acid was positively injurious. 1t CO.
adjulates the vital fluids of the body and
Of course stops vital action. In the hands
of skillful physicians, carbolic acid is sus-
ceptible of important uses but for family
use is no more appropriate than arsenic
or corrosive sublimate 7#
Its application, when not very much d.
luted, produces effects very similar to that
of burns, blistering the skin and produc-
ing sore that can be cured by the treat
ment that would cure burn 1t is offer
ed the public in all forms, as soaps,
washes, salves and also as a medicine for
various diseases, empires taking advan-
tage of its popularity to render it availa-
BILE for their profit. That it is for many
purposes very useful, is not to be denied;
but it is very evident that it should be used
with caution and care. We have used
these carbolic soaps upon our own hands
and face, and carbolic acid for dsinfecting
purposes, and recommend it, Our article
is not designed to deter any one from its
use as a dsinfecting agent, but to give
people who use it the knowledge of its
properties they ought to possess.