Salicylic Acid.—A derivative of carbolic acid, and an effective nonirritating antiseptic. It is only slightly soluble in cold water, 1-300. When combined with boric acid, it becomes more soluble. This antiseptic cannot be used for instruments, however, as it corrodes them. Its other objections are that it evaporates quickly from dressings and that it is expensive.
Sodium Chlorid.—Is a common agent used for the irrigation of putrid wounds in two-per-cent solution. For irrigation during aseptic operation and for covering sterilized sponges it is used in eight-per-cent solution (v. Esmarch). This corresponding to the normal salt solution. Its use in connection with corrosive-sublimate solutions (Maas) has been referred to.
Thymol (Rancke, Bouillon, Paquel).—The aromatic principle of thyme. Efficient as an antiseptic in 1-1,000 aqueous solution. It has a pleasant odor, and is nonirritant and nontoxic. Exhibited in colorless crystals. An excellent solution is prepared as follows:
| ℞ | Thymol | 20 | parts |
| Alcohol | 10 | ” | |
| Glycerin | 20 | ” | |
| Aquæ | 1,000 | ” |
It is used especially in washing out cavities where carbolic acid cannot be employed, and for cleansing mucous membranes preparatory to operation.
Zinc Chlorid (Morgan, Bardeleben, Billroth).—Extensively used as an antiseptic, especially in the oral cavity, where, by sealing the lymph spaces with a plastic exudate, it hinders the absorption of septic matter. It is only slightly antiseptic, however, in ten-per-cent aqueous solution. Zinc chlorid represents the active agent in Burnett’s fluid. May be effectively employed in the proportions of from twenty to forty grains to the ounce of water. Care must be exercised to prevent its retention in alveolar tissue, since it may occasion serious sloughing. As a cleansing agent for infected wounds it is of great value, although the sulphocarbolate of zinc may be preferred, as it is less irritating and less toxic.
Peroxoles.—Beck has introduced a group of preparations, known as peroxoles; liquid antiseptics containing a solution of hydrogen peroxid in combination with other disinfectants. The preparations are composed of from thirty-three to thirty-eight per cent alcohol, about three per cent of hydrogen peroxid, and one per cent of thymol, menthol, or camphor, the name given them being according to the last ingredient—thymosol, menthosol, or camphorosol. The association with these disinfectants greatly increases the antiseptic power of hydrogen peroxid. Aqueous solutions containing ten per cent of the peroxoles are usually employed. These correspond to a one-per-cent solution of mercuric chlorid, and possess a more energetic action than five per cent carbolic acid.
ANTISEPTIC POWDERS
Aristol (Dithymol Di-iodid) (Eichhoff).—Reddish-brown powder containing forty per cent iodin. Soluble in ether, chloroform, and fatty oils, sparingly in alcohol. Must be kept in dark glass bottles. Is incompatible with corrosive solutions. Used externally as iodoform.
Dermatol (Bismuth Subgallate).—An odorless yellow insoluble powder, containing fifty-three per cent Bi₂O₃.