Ad
related to: carbolic acid soap origin and importance of knowledge related to infection
Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Bar of carbolic soap, demonstrating the rich red colour that gives the soap its alternative name, red soap. Carbolic soap, sometimes referred to as red soap, is a mildly antiseptic soap containing carbolic acid (phenol) and/or cresylic acid (cresol), both of which are phenols derived from either coal tar or petroleum sources. [1] [2]
The hospital had been free of infection but within days there were twelve cases of infection and four deaths. [55] In his notebook, Lister stated that the disease was a form of surgical fever, and particularly noted that recent surgical patients were infected the worst, but that those with older surgeries with suppurating wounds, 'mostly ...
Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C 6 H 5 OH. [5] It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile . The molecule consists of a phenyl group ( −C 6 H 5 ) bonded to a hydroxy group ( −OH ).
Claims that antibacterial soap is effective stem from the long-standing knowledge that triclosan can inhibit the growth of various bacteria, as well as some fungi. [2] However, more recent reviews have suggested that antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soaps at preventing illness or reducing bacteria on the hands of users. [2] [7]
Lifebuoy is a British brand of soap marketed by Unilever. Lifebuoy was originally, and for much of its history, a carbolic soap containing phenol (carbolic acid, a compound extracted from coal tar). The soaps manufactured today under the Lifebuoy brand do not contain phenol.
The antiseptic properties of phenol discovered by Jules Lemaire were put to good use by the British surgeon Joseph Lister (1827–1912), pioneer of the antiseptic method in operative surgery, who had the idea of putting all his surgical tools and gowns in carbolic acid, as well as the wounds of the operated, thus reducing the postoperative mortality rate from 40% to 15%.
They are also found in some mouthwashes and in disinfectant soap and handwashes. Phenols are toxic to cats [33] and newborn humans [34] Phenol is probably the oldest known disinfectant as it was first used by Lister, when it was called carbolic acid. It is rather corrosive to the skin and sometimes toxic to sensitive people.
The Greeks also acknowledged the importance of wound closure, and were the first to differentiate between acute and chronic wounds, calling them "fresh" and "non-healing", respectively. Galen of Pergamum , a Greek surgeon who served Roman gladiators circa 120–201 A.D., made many contributions to the field of wound care. [ 9 ]
Ad
related to: carbolic acid soap origin and importance of knowledge related to infection