A manual of bacteriology, clinical and applied / by R. Tanner Hewlett.

  • Hewlett, R. Tanner (Richard Tanner), 1865-1940.
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A manual of bacteriology, clinical and applied / by R. Tanner Hewlett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    814/852 (page 736)
    carbolic acid and its homologues. The active principle of kerol consists of oxidised hydrocarbons with a di- phenyl nucleus and it contains no phenol or cresol. The germicidal efficiency, expressed as the carbolic-acid co¬ efficient (p. 741), of a number of substances is given in the Table on page 737. Some of the anilin dyes have been claimed to be power¬ fully antiseptic. Of these the best known are Brilliant Green, Malachite Green, Crystal Violet and Flavine. Browning and co-workers 1 state that these have the following germicidal potency on the M. pyogenes aureus and B. coli : M. aureus. B. , •cli. In 0-7 % Pep. Water. In Serum. In 0-7% Pep. Water. In Serum. Brilliant Green Sul- i, 1 phate .... Brilliant Green Ox- 1 : 10X106 1 : 30,000 1 : 130,000 1 :3,500 alate .... Malachite Green, Ox- 1 : 10X10* 1 : 100,000 1 : 200,000 I : 3,500 alate and S ul| >hate 1 : 10X106 1 :40,000 1 : 20,000 1 : 1,000 Crystal Violet . 1:4X10® 1 : 400,000 l : 8,000 1 : 8,000 Flavine .... l : 20,000 1 : 200,000 1 : 1,300 1 : 100,000 It will be seen that Flavine is the only one of these which is more active in serum, and it does not inhibit phagocytosis until a concentration of 1 : 500 is attained. On these grounds its use has been strongly urged for surgical practice. Browning s results with Flavine have, however, been severely criticised by Fleming and by Hew¬ lett ; moreover, its action is exerted extremely slowly. Chloroform is a powerful antiseptic, but at least 1 per cent, must be present to act as a germicide ; it is costly, and not much used as a practical disinfectant, but in. 1 Brit. Med. Journ., 1917, vol. i, p. 73.