The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-03-02
USES OF CARBOLIC AID.
A Cheap Disinfectant Needed for
Lyddlte and Salicylic Acid.
England'y supply. -

The statement made few days ago
that England had cut off the supply of
| carbolic acid from the rest of the world,
because she wanted it for use in max
ing lyddite shells, puzzled good many
people, who could not see what car
bolic acid had to do with lyddite. But
the mystery disappears when one
learns that the principal constituent
of that now famous explosive is picric
acid, and that picric acid is made out of
carbolic acid. Moreover, it proves that
the manufacture of the latter commod-
ity is carried on to only limited ex-
tent outside of England.
The reason for this is not obvious.
Carbolic acid is a coal tar derivative,
and coal tar is to be had the world over.
Germany is noted for her chemical in
dustries, yet imports from England
most of the carbolic acid she consumes.
There are one or two manufacturers in
the United States, too, that produce it.
They make an article of the best quail
ity, the experts say, but at present the
output is not at all equal to the needs
| of this country.
Carbolic acid is usually made as a
by-product in establishments where
other substances are the primary con-
siderations. Ammonia is another such
| incidental feature of the industry.
One of the leading manufacturers of
carbolic acid in England is the Gas
| Light and Coke company, of London.
The process of making it is not at all
difficult, but a rather large and costly
plant is required for economical pro-
duction.
The chief use of pacific nature to
which carbolic acid is put is that of a
disinfectant. Surgeons employ a So
luton of it to render their instruments
thoroughly antiseptic before under
| taking an operation. In hospitals and
private medical practice it has numer-
Gus applications of kindred nature.
1t is cheap and efficient. A little of it
goes great way. Its only important
industrial use, probably, isin the manu-
facture of salicylic acid. This partic-
ular line of business will be seriously
affected for time, because it is prac-
tically impossible to find substitute
for carbolic acid. For disinfecting pur-
poses a number of other agents can be
used advantageously.
Perhaps the most popular disinfect-
ants, next after the one which now
threatens to become scarce temporar-
| lily, are the chlorides of lime and mag
| nesia, and the bi-chloride of mercury,
| or corrosive sublimate. The one last
mentioned is used by surgeons almost
| as much as carbolic acid. Then there
are boric and salicylic acids, extensively
/ used as food preservatives. Inasmuch
as the manufacture of salicy!ic acid is
dependent upon carbolic acid, of course
| there is a chance that it will become
unavailable for time. Ammonia, too,
is disinfectant, as we'll as great
| cleanser. Much of the ammonia con-
sumed in America comes from abroad,
but considerable quantity is made
Fhere, and no signs of scarcity are to be
detected as yet. Menthol, an aromatic
derivative of peppermint, also has anti
septic, if not actively disinfecting,
properties. So has thymol. These
agents are among the benefcent con-
stituents of listerine.
The retail druggists profess to be
far from alarmed at the prospect of {.
scant supply of carbolic acid. They
hint that other substances can be
found to take its place, and they add
that if any serious advance in price,
| such as lump from IS to so cents q
pound, occurs, the American output
will be increased to meet the demand.
A little time may be required to pro-
vide for such development.-N.Y Y.
| Tribune