CARBOLIC ACID, 
ITS 
SURGICAL AND THERAPEUTICAL USES, 
A PAPER 
Jjead before the of Jjedicinc, 
JUNK 7TH, I860, BY /Q, A 1- L 
WM. B. DAVIS, M. D. 
CINCINNATI: 
A. Abraham, Book and Job Printer, 118 West Third Street, 
1869. CARBOLIC ACID, 
ITS 
SURGICAL AND THERAPEUTICAL USES, 
A PAPER 
Read before the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, 
JUNE 7th, 1869, 
BY 
WM. B. T) A VIS, M. D. 
Carbolic acid was discovered by Runge as far back as 1834, yet 
the attention of the medical profession was not directed to it as 
a remedial agent until quite recently. Now its use, both in 
medical and surgical practice is varied and extensive. 
Carbolic acid, strictly speaking, is not an acid, but an alcohol, 
[t is distilled from coal tar, and when perfectly pure is a colorless 
crystaline mass, disposed to deliquescence. Of the crystal 
preperations found in commerce. Calverts of Manchester, is pure, 
and Mercks of Darmstadt, is 98 per cent pure acid. 
In many respects carbolic acid resembles creasote, and by some 
the two are considered identical, but Illasiwetz in 1858, and Hugo 
Muller, in 1864, showed that creasote was a different body from 
carbolic and cresylic acido. It disolves in all proportions in Glyc- 
erine, alcohol, ether, acetic acid and the fixed oils. With twenty 
parts of water it forms a permanent emulsion. 
Mr. Crooke’s careful and extended experiments with it led 
him to the following conclusions, viz : 2 
Carbolic Acid has but slight coagulating power on albumen. 
[Most writers differ with him on this point, claiming that it will 
coagulate the albumenous portions of the tissues whenever it 
comes in contract with them.] 
It has no power of retarding oxidation. 
It has scarcely any action on foeted gases ; but it attacks the 
cause which produces them, and at the same time, puts the or- 
ganic matter in such a state that it never re-acquires its tendency 
to putrify. 
It has a special action on the fermentation induced by organ- 
ized matter ; it not only arrests it instantly, when in progress, but 
it prevents the development of future fermentation. 
It has no action on purely chemical ferments. It acts by at- 
tacking vitality in some mysterious way. The various infusoria 
of water, as well as small fish are instantly killed by a few drops 
of it. Fleas, moths, bugs and insect life generally, as well as 
animals as large as mice are destroyed by it. 
The powerful action which carbolic acid exerts on the phenom- 
ina of life is the most remarkable property which it possesses. It 
may be looked upon as the test proper for distinguishing vital 
from purely physical phenomena, and in most cases its action is 
characterized by the certainty and definitness of a chemical re- 
agent. In the presence of it, the development of embryotic life 
is impossible, and before its powerful influence all minute forms 
of animal life must inevitably perish. (3d Report of Commu- 
nion on Cattle Plague, page 192, 193.) 
As an antiseptic and disinfectant carbolic acid has no equal, 
1-1000, even 1-5000 will prevent decomposition, fermentation, or 
putrifaction of Blood. Urine, &c. 
The sewers of London were kept perfectly sweet during the 
existence of cholera in 1860 by 1-10000 part. 
In large doses it is a dangerous poison. The recent journals, 
both of America and Europe, report several deaths occasioned by it. 
Prof. J. G. Pinkham pronounced it a poison not inferior to ox- 
alic acid, and hardly so to strychnine. It is rapidly absorbed by 
the system and rapidly eliminated from it, chiefly by the kidneys. 
The local action of the poison is that of a caustic, irritant and 
sedative. The general action is that of a powerful neurotic 
causing trembling, convulsions, giddiness, headache, insensibility, 
a cold clammy surface, a feeble intermittent rapid pulse, great 
prostration and death. 3 
In treatment, the chief reliance must be placed upon measures 
of evacuation and stimulation. (Medical and Surgical Reporter, 
Dec. 1868.) 
IfM. Pasteur’s theory be correct, that all fermentation and 
putrefaction depends upon the living germs which the air con- 
tains, we have in carbolic acid an agent whose special action is 
directed against vitality, and whose fumes will destroy all organic 
and organized bodies, which the air may bring with them. 
Dr. Argus Smith says it may be considered absolutely certain, 
that all organic substance, whether of the nature of plague or 
any other disease, will be arrested in their course of activity 
by it. 
Mr. Crookes has proven that it will destroy the contagion of 
cattle plague and the virus of vaccine, and that cattle are per- 
fectly protected by it from the contagion of plague. His detailed 
experiments “point forcibly to the possible prevention and cure 
of all zymotic diseases which attack the human race. Every ar- 
gument brought forward, every experiment detailed and every 
result obtained of this investigation apply with overwhelming 
force to such visitations as typhus and typhoid fever, small pox, 
diphtheria, and cholera.” (Page 201, Cattle Plague Report.) 
These conclusions agree with those of Dr. Jules Lemaire, 
whose work on phenic acid was published in Paris in 1865. M. 
Lemaire shows that carbolic acid is the most powerful acknow- 
ledged means of contending with contagions and pestilential dis- 
eases, such as cholera, typhus fever, small pox. &c. 
Dr. A. E. Sansom read a paper before ‘-Medical Society of Lon- 
don," April 5th, 1869 in which he gave a sketch of a history of 
the theory of fermentation in its relation with zymotic disease, 
lie claimed that the analogy between fevers and fermentation has 
been taugh' since the earliest days of physic, and showed that 
the investigation of the real nature of fermentation has thrown 
much light on the subject by proving that living molecules were 
the prime causes of the process. The author considered that the 
potential energy of the morbific molecule as well as of the fer- 
ment could be stored up in no inorganic* material—this must 
possess power of vitality. He divided the germs of disease into 
two classes, according as they multiply (a) in the blood, (b) in 
the intestimal canal. He showed by experiment that fermenta- 
tion can take place in the gastro-intestinal tract of mice. He 4 
then discussed the means of destroying these germs and con- 
sidered that the most powerful agent with which we are acquain- 
ted is carbolic acid His experience, fortified by that of others, 
was that they relieved dyspepsia, checked pus formation, and 
seemed to diminish the intensity of the symptoms ofzymotic dis- 
ease. Medical Times and Gazette, April 24th, 459. 
It is shown that carbolic acid is destructive to all embryotie 
as well as all minute forms of animal life, and it is proven that 
in certain doses, it is equally destructive to human life. Will the 
dose which may be required to destroy the virus of disease en 
danger the life of the patient ? I)r. Angus Smith believes there 
is an amount which will destroy the germs of disease and not 
destroy life. On page 163 of his Report (Cattle Plague Com.,) he 
states, “I have heard of no one being injured by breathing air, 
scented by carbolic acid all day for a long time together, and I 
have myself breathed it night and day in a mild state, very 
strung it must never be breathed. Flesh will absorb carbolic acid 
and become so saturated that when roasted it will cease to smell 
like flesh. I am informed that men working in equally strong 
vapor are not injured.” 
Mr. Crookes says that medical and scientific writers were unan- 
imous in the opinion that small internal doses of carbolic acid 
were attended with no injurious effect, and he gave it to cattle in 
such doses that their breath smelled of it for some hours without 
an}' injurious effects. 
The internal administration of carbolic acid as a remedial agent 
in the treatment of disease, is just attracting the attention of the 
profession, and consequently there is not sufficient evidence to 
authoritatively state the exact quantity that will constitute a 
proper dose. Prof. Lionel Peale thinks that a solution of one 
part carbolic acid to 200 parts water is us strong as should be 
used. Dr. H. W. Fuller of St. George’s Hospital says that “as 
far as the mere dose was concerned. 1 found that some adults— 
especially men who have been spirit drinkers—could take ten 
or twelve minims without inconvenience, and notwithstanding 
the occurrence of a certain degee of discomfort, could take doses 
of fifteen minims three or four times a day for many days conse- 
cutively ; but that most persons, especially women, began to 
complain when the dose had been increased to eight or ten 
minims, and found six or seven minims a full dose.” In the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, N. Y., the standard so- 
lution is one grain to the ounce of water, and the dose of this so- 
lution is a drachm. I have administered carbolic acid internally 
since September. 1866, and I have been in the habit of ordering 
four grains to the ounce of water, and of this solution, I gave 
two drachms every three or four hours to adults and one drachm 
to children ; and I have never known any injurious effects result 
from its use in this strength. 
Carbolic acid is now extensively used in s rgery. Prof. Joseph 
Lister of Glasgow has achieved a world wide reputation by his 
surgical uses of this agent. Adopting the Germ theory, he con- 
fidently applied carbolic acid in compound and comminuted frac- 
tures, wounds of joints, acute and chronic abscesses, tumors 
and wounds generally, and with the remarkable result of imme- 
diately converting compound fractures into simple fractures with 
superficial sores, the arrest of deep-seated suppurations and the 
prevention of constitutional disturbance, Ac. [The details of his 
treatment can be found in the London Lancet, March, ’67.] 
The preparations of carbolic acid used by Mr. Lister are de- 
nominated carbolic oil, carbolic lotion and carbolic paste. The 
composition of the first is carbolic acid, one part, boiled linseed 
or other fixed oils, five parts; that of the second, carbolic acid 
one part, water thirty parts ; and that of the third, carbolic oil 
with sufficient whitening to make into the consistence ot soft 
putty. 
With the lotion he would wash out the wounds, then apply a 
layer of lint saturated with the oil, and on this he would put a 
layer of paste, and then cover all with tin-foil or oiled silk. 
Prof. James Syme and other distinguished surgeons have 
adopted Mr. Lister’s mode of treatment, and with the most favor- 
able results. In the Dublin Quarterly, Journal of Medical Sciences. 
February 1869, I find an article “On the Antiseptic Treatment of 
Wounds,” by Wm. McCormac, Fellow of the Royal College of 
Surgeons, etc., which contains a report of eight eases, one of 
which I will give. 
“An intemperate man calledBarry, forty-five years of age, on 
the 12th of July sustained an extensive contused wound, some 
six inches long, stretching from the back of one condyle of the 
femur right across the front oithe knee-joint to the other. The 
patella wras transversely fractured at the middle of the bone. 
The quadriceps extensor tendon, where attached to the upper border of the patella, was also much torn. Of course, the knee- 
joint was extensively laid open, and the articulating surface of 
the lower end of the femur could be touched and seen. Formerly 
not much hesitation would have been shown, under these circum- 
stances in amputating the thigh. I placed the limb, however, in 
a carefully prepared, straight splint, and enrbolized oil was put 
on the wound, after it was cleansed and saturated. The edges of 
the wound sloughed to a slight extent, and when the sloughs 
were thrown off healthy granulations occupied their place, and 
these, by the 12th of August, had almost cicatrized. Perfect bo- 
ny union took place between the broken fragments of the patella, 
and yet. what is more strange, anchylosis of the knee-joint did 
not occur. The man left the hospital on the 28th of September, 
and he could then flex his limb through fifteen or twenty de- 
grees. 
His conclusions in respect to the surgical uses of carbolic acid 
dressings are; 
1st. That by their means those conditions which promote the 
formation of pus are sometimes wholly prevented, at other times 
greatly diminished in power, and that when pus is formed, it, 
proves an innocuous fluid, not prone to decomposition, and not 
injuring by its presence the wounded surface with which it is in 
contact. 
2d. I think the amount of pus is diminished where suppura- 
tion does occur. 
od. I have been much struck by the absence of those results 
of serious injuries, which so usually ensue both in the neighbor- 
hood of the wounded parts, and constitutionally,—I have observ- 
ed over and over again the almost total absence of pain, inflam- 
matory swelling, and surgical fever where such might otherwise 
have been expected to occur. In extensive injuries, involving 
the deeper seated parts, it has appeared to me that those struc- 
tures heal more readily, and that the wound soon becomes merely 
superficial, a granulat ing surface closing in. and protecting the 
tissues beneath. 
4th. I am disposed to believe that pyemia will become com- 
paratively of rare occurrence. 
Dr. Joseph Bell, in the Edinburgh Medical Journal for May, ’Of* 
details nine cases “Illustration of the Antiseptic use of Carbolic 
Acid." He says: “1 have not selected my cases because they 
were specially successful ones, but because they were under my 7 
care. Mr Syme has had many amputations as good,—one much 
more strikin'; than mine. We count our psoas abscesses opened 
in this manner with success, not by units, but by tens.” 
All the cases are interesting and I take the first case of com- 
pound fracture in order to illustrate the wonderful results ob- 
tained by means of this agent in the hands of Dr. Bell, (page 084) 
J . age 40. a laborer, received two tremendous blows on 
his left arm from the handle of a crane in rapid revolution. His 
injuries were, a very had compound comminuted fracture of the 
left humerus just above the elbow-joint. The fracture communi- 
cated with two large lacerated wounds, each about 1 and \ inches 
in length, and on each aspect of the limb. He had also a most 
severe compound comminuted fracture of both radius and ulna 
of the same side ; the forearm was bent at a right angle at the 
fracture, and both bones projected through a wound four inches 
in length over the dorsal aspect of the ulnar edge of the forearm. 
The projecting portion of radius was completly stripped of its 
periosteum. The ulna was comminuted, but did not project so 
much, nor was any of it completely bare. 
It seemed hardly possible to save the limb, and, without the 
antiseptic treatment, I should have feared profuse suppuration, 
hectic, perhaps pyemia. 
I cutoff with a saw the projecting three inches of radius, and 
then succeeded in replacing the bones, and restoring great masses 
of exposed muscles. All the wounds were then carefully and 
thoroughly syringed out with carbolic acid lotion, and dressed in 
the usual manner with lint soaked in carbolic acid and oil ; the 
arm and forearm were placed at a right angle, and protected with 
pasteboard splints. 
There was no suppuration from the deeper parts The man 
never lost his sleep, nor exhibited any signs of fever. 
On the 14th day the arm wounds were so nearly healed as to 
be dressed with dry lint. There was still a large granulating 
wound in the fore-arm with tendency to protrusion of muscle. 
On the 25th day the fractures of the humerus were so far con- 
solidated that passive movement of the elbow was begun. 
On the 32d day, he was up and walking about. He has now a 
useful arm, notwithstanding the great loss of substance in the 
fore-arm ” 
Combined with linseed oil in proportion of 1 to 10 carbolic acid 8 
in burns arrests pain, prevents suppuration, dries up the bulla1, 
and effects a speedy cure. 
It is used in the treatment of syphilitic sores, (primary and 
secondary.) “Among a large number of patients with primary 
sores, those who had used carbolic acid lotion have been freer 
from buboes. The sores have healed, and induration disappear 
ed more rapidl}7 than with those who had not the lotion. 
There is strong reason to believe that the occurrence of 
secondary symptoms is less frequent, caeteris paribus, among 
those using the lotion.” (London Lancet, page 217, ’69.) 
It is especially useful in those forms of skin disease depending 
on parasites or accompanied by the development of any of the 
forms of fungi. 
All parasites which have their habitat, in or on man, find in 
carbolic acid an uncompromising foe, and it is equally destructive 
to the vermin which infest some houses, such as roaches, bed- 
bugs, &c. 
In the treatment of gonorrhoea ozama, otorrhoea ulcerated 
sore throat, &c., it has been found efficacious. Internally it is 
administered in the treatment of phthisis pulmonalis, pneumo- 
nia, bronchitis, particularly when the sputa is profuse offen- 
sive or purulent, typhus and typhoid fever, measles, scarlet 
fever, as well as in dyspepsia, diarrhoea and vomiting. 
As a prophylaxis of scarlet fever it has been used by Mr. 
Amos Beardsley. When a patient suffers from scarlatina, he is 
washed all over, once or twice a day, with diluted carbolic acid, 
one drachm to a pint. Mr. Beardsley says that in no case in 
which he has tried it with the first case in a house has there been 
any further spi*ead of Scarlatina in the family. He has now so 
much experience as to be convinced that this plan is most useful 
in preventing the emanation of contagious influence from patients. 
(Practitioner. Feb., 1869.) 
My first experience with the internal administration of carbolic 
acid was in 1866 in the treatment of diphtheria. The following 
case treated in that year. I select from a number, because of its 
typical character and severity. 
Luther J , aged 4 years was observed to droop for two or 
three days prior to the night of Oct. 20th, 1866, when he was 
suddenly siezed with convulsions. I was immediately sent for, 
but he recovered his consciousness before my arrival. I found 
him with a hot skin, flushed face, bounding pulse, breathing 9 
labored, tongue furred, tubmaxillary glands enlarged, tonsils 
swollen, urine albuminurious. Ulceration of the tonsils set in on 
the second day and by the 24th inst a black, slough-like covering 
formed on the tonsils, which rendered the breath very foetid. 
His strength rapidly failed and my hopes for his recoverery were 
hut slight until the morning of the 29th inst. when some improve- 
ment was manifested. From this date he slowly convalesced 
until his full recovery in the latter part of December, When 
convalescence had been well established, so that he was no longer 
confined to his bed, his mother surprised me one morning as I 
entered by exclaiming: “Doctor, my child is cross-eyed !” An 
examination confirmed this statement. With strabismus there 
was defective vision, owing to loss of adjusting power. There 
was also paralysis of the faucial muscles, which impaired the 
voice. The muscles of the back and neck were likewise affected, 
so that he could not stand erect or properly support his head. 
My treatment during the first stage, was a 4 of grain of carbolic- 
acid in conjunction with chlorate of potash, every 3 hours, and 
a wash for the tonsils of carbolic acid 5 grains to the ounce of 
water. During convalescence, muriated tinct of iron, quinine, 
brandy and beeftea were given. I have never known a case as 
severe as this one to recover on any other treatment. I have 
continued the use of the acid in the treatment -if diphtheria, and 
with very satisfactory results. 
I have treated twenty cases of measles with it, of this number 
17 recovered and 3 died. The latter were cutting teeth at the 
time, and convulsions supervened, of which they died. 
I have administered it to 17 cases of scarlet fever and lost five 
of them,—these five were malignant ones, three died in one room 
and two in another. I think they would not have recovered 
under any treatment, yet I do not think I gave carbolic acid as 
fair a test in these cases as it deserved. In the future I will put 
malignant cases in separate rooms, disinfect the premises and 
have the air they breathe slightly charged with carbolic acid. 
I have administered it to fourteen cases of small pox. and all 
recovered but one. Five were confluent, and nine were well 
marked, distinct cases. Three of the five confluent ones had been 
vaccinnated. and of this number was the one who died. Of the 
nine distinct cases, four had been vaccinnated and five had not 
The secondary fever in several was entirely wanting, and very 
mild in those who had any. 10 
The most remarkable result observed, was. that not one of the 
thirteen who recovered was disfigured by pitting. I recently 
visited two of the patients who had passed through the severest 
form of confluent small-pox. One was a woman aged 5b years, 
who had been vaccinnated in her youth: the other a girl of 7 
years, who had never been vaccinnated. In the first case three 
months had elapsed since her recovery; in the other, two months. 
Upon a close scrutiny I could discover some superficial pitting on 
the nose and forehead, but a few feet distant the}' were not ob- 
servable. There was no disfiguration. My general prescription 
in the treatment of these cases was as follows: 
E.—Crystalized Carbolic Acid. grs. xvi. 
Chlorate of Potash, 
Spir. Nit. Dulc. %\. 
Sirup Ipecac 30 
Sirup Tolu Ji. 
Glycerine 30 M. 
S.—i tablespoonful every three hours during the 
eruptive fever. 
A lotion of carbolic acid, grs. x. to glycerine gj. was applied to 
the face and hands. 
Dr. Cassat, of this city, has treated four cases of gonorrhoea 
with carbolic acid in the strength of twenty grains to the ounce 
of water, used as an injection. And in each case the discharge 
was arrested within the first twenty-four hours and did not re- 
turn. 
I have used it in two cases. Jn the first one i directed four 
grains to the ounce of water, but it did not control the discharge 
although the patient injected it three times per day for a week. 
In my second case, I ordered a solution of twenty grains to the 
ounce, and the patient injected it twice and the discharge stopped 
and did not return. No other medication was used. In the lat- 
ter strength it produced severe pain which continued from one to 
three hours. 
1 treated a patient who was very much broken down with a 
carbuncle, full six inches in diameter. 1 made a crucial incision, 
washed it three times per day with a lotion of four grains of car- 
bolic acid to the ounce, and dressed it with a salve containing 
four grains of the acid to the ounce and administered the acid 
internally in conjunction writli tonics. The patient made a rapid 
recovery and was able to resume his work in three weeks. 11 
Dr. John Davis first directed m3’ attention to the internal use 
of carbolic acid, and he has kindly furnished me the subjoined 
record. 
•The first instance of my administering carbolic acid internally 
was on the 25th of September, 1866. I was then called for the 
first time to see Mrs. J. -living, near Cincinnati. She had 
been suffering with severe cough for several weeks, and was far 
gone in pregnancy. Upon entering her room 1 perceived a very 
offensive odor of putrescent animal matter. Upon nearing her 
this stench was more intense, and her sputa, from whenco this 
odor proceeded, affected my olfactories almost unbearably. The}1- 
were rust colored and copious, and her right lung presented dull- 
ness to percussion over the whole extent of the lower two-thirds 
of its surface. She was much emaciated and had but little appe- 
tite. 
I ordered as follows: 
R. —Crystalized Carbolic Acid. gtt. xvi. 
Chlorate of Potassa, 3‘ii. 
Sulphate of Morphia, grs. ii. 
Syrup of Tolu, 3j. 
Peppermint Water, 3 iii. M. 
S. —Half a tablespoonful every three hours while 
awake, and the right side of the chest to be painted over onee 
per day with a mixture composed of equal parts of Tinct. of Io- 
dine and Alcohol. Half a tablespoonful of Huxam’s Tinct. of 
Bark was also ordered to be given three times per day. 
The next day the stench, which on the day before filled her 
room, was now hardly perceptible, and in twenty-four hours more 
it had entirely disappeared to return no more. 
Oct. 6th.—This patient is now nearly well. She has but little 
cough, the dullness to percussion over her right lung has nearly 
disappeared and her flesh and strength are much what would be 
expected of an}r one very near the time of her confinement. Her 
recovery has been so rapid that I have made to her in all 011I3 
seven visits including that of this date. 
Oct. 17th.—She was delivered of a healthy child on the 7th 
inst., and is now quite well. 
What led me to think of administering carbolic acid internally 
for this patient, was the horrible putrescent stench emanating 
from her. I knew that it had been proved that meat saturated 12 
with carbolic acid would undergo no decomposition. I therefore 
inferred that its influence on a decomposing vital animal organi- 
zation might prove also effective. My success in this case led me 
immediately to using the acid as an antiseptic in almost all the 
cases of septic or zymotic diseases which I have been called to 
treat from that time to the present. 
In dyphtheria and typhoid fever I have found its use attended 
with remarkable success; also in scarlet fever and measles. 
In some cachectic conditions 1 have also found it to have a very 
good effect, as in the third stage of phthisis pulmonalis, to retard 
the destruction of tissue. 
The following is from C. P. Brent. M. D. Physician to the 
Hamilton County Jail : 
‘ Gfeorge H -, aged seven years, 42 Elm street, was attacked 
with Pneumonia, Dec. 6th, 1866. I treated the case in my usual 
way, but there was no cessation of the morbid action ; the case 
passed through the first and second stages and into the third, re- 
sulting iu suppuration of the lower lobe of right lung. The patient 
was gradually sinking, although tonics and stimulants were 
freely administered. The odor proceeding from his sputa was 
unbearable, and the whole room was filled with the sickening 
smell. The family and myself were daily expecting him to die, 
when at the suggestion of Dr. John Davis I him carbolic 
acid and in twenty-four hours there was a marked diminution in 
the odor, and in a few days it was scarcely perceptible. The pa- 
tient began to improve rapidly and in a few weeks was a positive 
convalescent. He is now active and well. 
I have used carbolic acid in another case of pneumonia, where 
there was supjmrative action with the same good result, Also in 
a case of phthisis where the breath and sputa almost drove the 
friends from the room, the offensive odor was entirely removed 
by its use. 
1 use carbolic acid very freely in the Hamilton County jail in 
various affections, especially syphilis, all forms of ulcers, &c. I 
could not disponse with it any better than with the old standard 
remedies.” ADDENDA. 
Since the above paper was read to the Academy, 1 have met 
with two articles which corroborate my statements in reference 
to the internal use of carbolic acid in zymotic affections. rl he 
first one is in the “ Transactions of the State Medical Society of 
New York, 1868,”by I). P. Bissell, M. D. On page 112, he says : 
-Carbolic acid may be successfully employed as an internal 
remedy in most, if not all, zymotic diseases. In diphtheria scar- 
latina, malignant typhus and typhoid fever, it certainly exerts 
a strong, correcting influence. * * * * I am entirely satis- 
fied, after numerous trials, that it possesses properties exerting 
an influeuce more potent than other remedies. 
* * * * I should now be unwilling to treat any severe case 
of either diphtheria or scarlet fever without the aid of carbolic 
acid.” 
The second article is fromthe pen ofH. T. Cleaver, M. i). and was 
first published in the Iowa Medical Journal,and re-published in 
the Boston Journal of Chemistry June 1, 1809. He reports seventy 
cases of scarlatina treated with carbolic acid, and all recovered 
but one. His prescription was as follows : 
K.—Carbolic Acid 
Dilute Alcohol —M. 
S.—Ten to twenty drops in mucilage every three 
hours. Diluted with three parts water, he also used the above 
as a gargle.