Daily camera., 1900-03-30
ABOUT CARBOL1C ACID
Some Interesting Facts Recently
Brought to Light
Its Manufaetur IL COnhned Almost
Wholly to England-How 1T
IL Employed In ChsM-
teal Industries.

The statement made a 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 picrlc
acid, and that picric acid is made out OF
carbolic acid. Moreover, ii proves that
the manufacture of the latter commod-
ity is carried on to only limited e1-
tent outside of England.
The reason for this is not obvious.
Carbolic acid is 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 carboiic acid she consumes.
There are one or two manufacturers in
the United States, too, that produce 1t.
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
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 il is not at all
difficult. but Il rather large and costly
plant is required for economical pro-
duction.
The chief use of a pacific nature to
which carbolic acid is put is that of a
disinfectant. Surgeons employ 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 a kindred nature.
1t is cheap and efficient. \ little of II
goes a 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 a 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-
ilv. are the chlorides of lime and mag
nesia. and the bi-chloride of mercury,
or corrosive subimate. The one last
men ntioned is used by surgeons almost
as much as carbolic acid Then there
are boric and salieIlic acids, extensively
used as food preservatives. lnasmuch
as the manufacture of salicylic acid is
dependent upon carbolic acid, of course
there is a chance that ii VIII become
unavailable for a time. Ammonia, too,
is a disinfectant. as well as a great
cleanser. Much of the ammonia con-
sumed in America comes frGn abroad,
but a considerable quantity is made
here. 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 a
scant supply of carbolic acid. They
hint that other substances can be
sfound to take It's place. and they add
that if any serious advance in price,
such as a jump from Is to 20 cents
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.
Tribune.