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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 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%.
His most important contribution, however, was recognising that putrefaction in wounds is caused by germs, in connection to Louis Pasteur's then-novel germ theory of fermentation. [ a ] [ 6 ] Lister's work led to a reduction in post-operative infections and made surgery safer for patients, leading to him being distinguished as the "father of ...
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 ).
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 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]
As well as his work on organic chemistry, Anderson made important contributions to agricultural chemistry, writing over 130 reports on soils, fertilisers and plant diseases. He kept abreast of all areas of science, and was able to advise his colleague Joseph Lister on Pasteur's germ theory and the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic.
View history; Tools. Tools. move to sidebar hide. Actions Read; Edit; View history; ... Phenol, also known as carbolic acid; Carbolic soap, a type of soap containing ...