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452 DENTAL MEDICINE.

Therapeutic Uses.—Loretin is non-poisonous, and is equally
well adapted, especially when mixed with a small proportion of
calcined magnesia, as a dusting powder for the surface of wounds
and for insufflating into hollows and cavities. Bacteriological
experiments by Ammelburg, have demonstrated the power of
loretin as a germicide as well as an antiseptic.
In the treatment of wounds, the surface is kept clean with dry
sterilized pads of gauze, and then closed with the needle. A
bandage with lumps of surgical wadding and loretin collodion is
then laid upon the closed wound. Cavities are dusted with loretin
powder, or a tampon of loretin gauze is introduced ; a small
pencil of loretin is laid in punctured wounds.
The healing of the wound is usually unaccompanied by anv
fever and progress without festering. There is an absence of any
irritating effect on the skin, and persistent eczema has been cured
by this agent ; it is also employed in empyema of the pleural
cavity and purulent cystitis.
Dental Uses.—In dental practice loretin may be employed in
all cases requiring the application of antiseptics and germicides, as
a substitute for iodoform (for the dental uses of which see page
430) and without the disadvantages of the latter agent.

LYSOL.
Derivation.—Lysol is obtained by boiling coal tar with fat,
alkali, resinous acid and resin, and contains no phenol, but prin-
cipally cresol. It is readily soluble in water, and has a strong
pungent odor. It is of the consistency of soft or potash soap, or
in the form of a clear oily liquid.
Lysol is a very complex substance (not homogeneous), without
any definite formula.
Medical Properties and Therapeutic Uses.—It is claimed that
lysol is superior as a germicide to carbolic acid, iodoform and
creolin, its bactericide properties being very great. As an anti-
septic, etc., in the treatment of wounds a i per cent, solution is
employed ; for internal washings y^ per cent, solutions are
recommended. It sometimes exerts an irritant action on the
skin.