Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-02-12

But what is Dakin's Solution,
how was it discovered, why was
it remarkable2
Dakins Solution is an antisep-
tic. 1t was remarkable because
it was the one powerful germi-
eide that could be used freely
and without danger on the hui
man body. Only a physician
can fully appreciate what this
means. A brief history of its
discovery and what it accom-
plished is this:
The known antiseptics. when war
was declared, were divided into
two classes: highly poisonous COM
pounds awhich would destroy bac-
terra promptly but would destroy
body tissue as well and non-poison-
Gus compounds which would not
harm body tissues but were too weak
to check infection. The former class
contained carbolic acid, bichloride
OF mercury, iodine. silver nitrate, etc.
II used in a strong enough solu-
ton to destroy germs they also de-
stroyed body tissue. When they
were diluted sufficiently to be ap-
piled with safety to the human body
their germicidal powers all but van
ished The latter class contained a
host OF so-cslled mild antiseptics
which were harmless to tissue but
were absolutely worthless In at
tempting to kill malignant bacteria
They had no more effect on estab
lished infection than so much rain
Water.
Surgeons Were POwerless.
Limited to these two classes of
antiseptics French and English sur
geons attempted to meet the infec-
tion produced by modern gunfire;
but high-powered bullets and high
explosive shells carried a myriad
particles Of germ-laden dirt deep
into the shocking wounds which |
they produced. The result was APP
palling. Gangrene. tetanus' blood /
poisoning living putrefaciOn
stormed the Allied hospitals and /
turned them into presidential hor-
rors. The pOilu held at the Marine; /
held again at Verdun. The English |
and Canadians stood fast at Ypres, /
but their surgeons and nurses were
being beaten by more insidious
foe than German shock-troops. In /
lection. unbelievable infection, was
beating them. A man WOUNDED on
Saturday would be mass or cor
ruption on Monday and would die
within the week.
Back from the war hospitals, /
through all branches OF the medical /
profession came the cry: Find, oh |
find us something that will check .
this fearful horror! We are help I
less before such infection. We must .
have something to check it,
Among those who heard the call .
we're two distinguished surgeons OF /
the Rockefeller Institute. Supported |
by the Institute they went TO work
They experimental day and night |
for every hour was precious. AT first
in the laboratory at BeauJon Hos
initial. Paris, and later at military .
Hospital "a, Compeigne. And one day
thew made an announcement, I'VE
think we have what you want" they
said I'VE call IL the Carrel-Dakin
solution. It is a new antiseptic, de !
rived from sodium hypochlorite. Try 4
IL and see" The surgeons OF the /
Allied armies tried Il and saw. They /
saw that previous surgical methods I
were revolutionized. Here was
real antiseptic at last. that could he
used constantly in the deepest |
wound. II would destroy germs like /
FIRE and was perfectly harmless.
French and British Thankful.
''Vive PAmerique!" exclaimed the
surgeon general OF the French army.
as the new antiseptic drove infec-
ton from the war hospitals OF
France. and We'll done, Americal"
came the thankful echo OF the Brit
ish medical staff.
And now how can the world best
nroft by the biggest single asset /
of tho war? Can this powerful, /
though non-poisonous antiseptic