Page 455 - My FlipBook

LYSOL. 453

Dr. F. Haenel lays special stress upon the simplicity of its use
—a few minutes energetic brushing with the solution being all
that is required to prepare a surface for operation, instead of the
usually complicated process of cleaning and disinfecting the
skin. For this purpose lysol answers as well as the best soap,
removing not only visible dirt, but fatty or resinous spots on the
skin, instruments, etc. The soapy feeling it imparts to the hands,
instruments and sutures, is best avoided by drying the hands and
the prepared area of operation with a sterilized cloth before be-
ginning to operate.
With respect to the bactericidal properties of the preparation,
Schotellius found that in 15 to 20 minutes a one-third per cent,
solution destroyed all kinds of germs. The investigations of
Gerlach led to similar results, and the experiences of Dr. F.
Haenel are also in accordance with these statements. He used
solutions varying in strength from j4 to per cent., and on all
y^
grounds concludes that Lysol is superior to sublimate, carbolic
acid, iodoform, and the other ordinary antiseptics, either by virtue
of its non-poisonousness, or odorlessness, or the clearness of its
solutions. It forms, he points out, clear mixtures with distilled
water, or with ordinary water which does not contain much
chalk. In solutions made with spring or tap water which contains
much lime, a turbidity appears which increases in the progress of
time, and is less conspicuous in strong than in weak solutions.
As the disinfectant constituents remain in solution, the bacter-
icidal action of the liquid is no way prejudiced. For some pur-
poses this turbidity is a disadvantage, however, and the author
states that the best way to avoid it, is to prepare the solutions
immediately before use, if necessary,. to avoid the employment of
the weaker dilutions.
Dental Uses.—Lysol may be employed in dental practice as an
antiseptic, disinfectant, and germicide in the case of putrescent or
gangrenous pulps, to disinfect root-canals and carious cavities of
teeth ; also in the form of a I per cent, solution for unhealthy
wounds and ulcers of the oral mucous membrane, upon which it
has an astringent effect. It is advisable to employ lysol in from
1/^ to I per cent, solution whenever an antiseptic or aseptic in-