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216 DENTAL MEDICINE.

phurous acid), is a syrupy rose-colored volatile liquid with a
strong odor, and a non-irritant action. It readily dissolves in
every proportion of water, alcohol and glycerine. Although it is
more acid than carbolic acid, yet it is less caustic, and directly
combines with bases. It is non-toxic, anti-fermenting, anti-
putrid, and its disinfecting properties are more energetic than
those of carbolic and salicylic acids. It can readily be combined
with the essential oils. It is recommended as a substitute for
carbolic acid.
Sulpho-carbolate of zinc (Zn(CgH5SO^)2H20) combines the
virtues of zinc salts and carbolic acid, and is used internally, in
diarrhoea, and externally, in aqueous solution of from three to six
grains to the ounce, as a dressing for wounds and ulcers, and an
injection in gonorrhoea.
Sulpho-carbolates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium
and quinia are employed as antiseptics in cholera and zymotic
diseases generally.
Dental Uses.—Carbolic acid being antiseptic, styptic, escha-
rotic, stimulant and sedative, or narcotic, is a valuable agent in
dental therapeutics. It has been employed as an application to
carious dentine, to obtund sensibility and arrest putrefactive
changes in the devitalized structure, and to coagulate the albu-
minous elements at the end of the dentinal tubuli.
But it is now generally conceded that there are other agents
which are more permanent in their action as antiseptics, and
hence carbolic acid, it is claimed, should not be introduced into
root-canals permanently, as silico-fluoride of sodium, boro-glycer-
ine, aristol, oil of cloves, cassia, cinnamon, myrtol, etc., are far
more powerful, with better stimulating, antiseptic and disinfectant
properties, and do not possess the coagulating property of
carbolic acid, nor clog a delicate canal or destroy the tissues to
which they are applied. Carbolic acid relieves odontalgia when
applied to the surface of an exposed and painful pulp. It is also
invaluable in the treatment of alveolar abscess ; and in com-
bination with iodine or other agents it is often employed with
beneficial effects in the treatment of periodontitis. When em-
ployed in the treatment of alveolar abscess, as an antiseptic, al-