I have
described,
once used the sulphurous fumigation as above it is therefore useless speculating how it will act
only
in other cases. In practice the best
plan for evolving the gas would be to burn either pure carbonic disulphide, or a mixture of it and alcohol, in a common spirit-lamp; or to make pastilles of charcoal and mucilage, and to from their combustion.
sulphur,
Bhagulpoue,
SULPHUROUS ACID AS AN ANTISEPTIC IN THE TREATMENT OF WOUNDS AND INJURIES *
By Surgeon
C. J.
Warden, Officiating Bliaugulpore.
Civil
Surgeon,
In the present day when the antiseptic system of treating ?wounds is receiving so much attention, it is remarkable that the value of an antiseptic of such power as sulphurous acid, should not be more generally recognized. Prof. Lister, in his article on "Antiseptic treatment" in Holmes's 'System of surgery,' states:?"For the purposes of antiseptic treatment, volatility of the germ-poisori is an essential requisite, in order that the atmosphere round the dressings may be deprived of septic energy, so that no harm may arise from its introduction into the wound which it is often quite impossible to avoid. There are many agents which fulfil the conditions of volatility combined with hostility to low forms of life, such as chlorine, sulphurous acid, &c., &c., &c.," Dr. Polli of Milan has also come to the conclusion that sulphurous acid has the power of arresting all known forms of fermentation, as well as of retarding putrefaction. From a reference to the works at my command, it wonld appear that only aqueous solutions of sulphurous acid have been used, no mention being made of the gaseous acid in the treatment of wounds. A solution of the acid in water is an unstable compound, and cannot be kept for any length of time ?without oxygen being absorbed, and the sulphurous becoming converted into sulphuric acid. In a case of sloughing thigh stump which was recently under my care in the Bhagulpore dispensary, I used the gaseous acid, as evolved from burning sulphur, with the most marked success.
The
plan adopted
covered with
a
was
thick cloth
"
exceedingly simple: A cradle" placed over the stump, and
was
The saucer of burning sulphur was put underneath it. whole of the wound was thus surrounded by an atmosphere of the acid gas. After an interval of about four minutes, the sulphur was removed; and the stump, which before the fumigation had stunk, was found to be quite sweet. The
a
patient
made
a
rapid
recovery.
* Note?This communication has been placed at our disposal by the 8urgeoa-.General, Indian Medical Department, Bengal,?Editob.
25th June 1876.
use
the fumes
arising
described,
once used the sulphurous fumigation as above it is therefore useless speculating how it will act
only
in other cases. In practice the best
plan for evolving the gas would be to burn either pure carbonic disulphide, or a mixture of it and alcohol, in a common spirit-lamp; or to make pastilles of charcoal and mucilage, and to from their combustion.
sulphur,
Bhagulpoue,
SULPHUROUS ACID AS AN ANTISEPTIC IN THE TREATMENT OF WOUNDS AND INJURIES *
By Surgeon
C. J.
Warden, Officiating Bliaugulpore.
Civil
Surgeon,
In the present day when the antiseptic system of treating ?wounds is receiving so much attention, it is remarkable that the value of an antiseptic of such power as sulphurous acid, should not be more generally recognized. Prof. Lister, in his article on "Antiseptic treatment" in Holmes's 'System of surgery,' states:?"For the purposes of antiseptic treatment, volatility of the germ-poisori is an essential requisite, in order that the atmosphere round the dressings may be deprived of septic energy, so that no harm may arise from its introduction into the wound which it is often quite impossible to avoid. There are many agents which fulfil the conditions of volatility combined with hostility to low forms of life, such as chlorine, sulphurous acid, &c., &c., &c.," Dr. Polli of Milan has also come to the conclusion that sulphurous acid has the power of arresting all known forms of fermentation, as well as of retarding putrefaction. From a reference to the works at my command, it wonld appear that only aqueous solutions of sulphurous acid have been used, no mention being made of the gaseous acid in the treatment of wounds. A solution of the acid in water is an unstable compound, and cannot be kept for any length of time ?without oxygen being absorbed, and the sulphurous becoming converted into sulphuric acid. In a case of sloughing thigh stump which was recently under my care in the Bhagulpore dispensary, I used the gaseous acid, as evolved from burning sulphur, with the most marked success.
The
plan adopted
covered with
a
was
thick cloth
"
exceedingly simple: A cradle" placed over the stump, and
was
The saucer of burning sulphur was put underneath it. whole of the wound was thus surrounded by an atmosphere of the acid gas. After an interval of about four minutes, the sulphur was removed; and the stump, which before the fumigation had stunk, was found to be quite sweet. The
a
patient
made
a
rapid
recovery.
* Note?This communication has been placed at our disposal by the 8urgeoa-.General, Indian Medical Department, Bengal,?Editob.
25th June 1876.
use
the fumes
arising
