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PURIFIED ANIMAL CHARCOAL. 323

CARBO ANIMALIS PURIFICATUS—PURIFIED ANIMAL
CHARCOAL.
Source.—Animal Charcoal, called " bone black," is obtained by
exposing bones to a red heat, protected from the air. It consists
of charcoal, phosphate and carbonate of lime.
Purified Animal Charcoal.— Carbo Animalis Purificatus—
is obtained by digesting bone-black in hydrochloric acid and
water to a moderate heat, when it is dried and heated to redness
in a covered crucible.
Properties and Action,—Animal charcoal is an absorbent, and is
used to counteract the effects of poisonous agents, such as the
alkaloids and acids.
Dose.—Of animal charcoal as an absorbent, .5ss, to neutralize
the effects of each grain of such agents as strychnia and
morphia.
CARBO LIGNI—WOOD CHARCOAL.
Source.—Wood Charcoal is obtained by subjecting soft wood
to a red heat with but a limited supply of air, by which the
water, etc., are removed, allowing the carbon to remain.
Properties and Action.—Wood charcoal is antiseptic and disin-
fectant and detergent, and is very serviceable in correcting the
fetor of discharges and arresting the process of ulceration,
especially when in the form of the dry powder, or mixed with
linseed as a poultice.
Therapeutic Uses.—For foul and gangrenous ulcers, gangrene,
phagedaena, suppurating surfaces, cancerous tumors, etc., etc.
Dental Uses.—The powdered charcoal added to water, in the
proportion of one or two drachms to a glass of water, forms an
efficient disinfectant gargle for the offensive fetor of mercurial
stomatitis ; also useful in foul and gangrenous ulcers of the
mouth, diseased gums, offensive ulcerations, offensive fetor of
cancrum oris, etc., etc. Notwithstanding its detergent prop-
erties, injury results from its use as a dentifrice, on account of
its tendency to cause recession of the gums from the necks of
the teeth.