Lysol is a 50% solution of cresol in vegetable oil.
- The toxicity of phenol is eight times greater than that of Lysol. Dettol is a chlorinated phenol. It is non toxic to adults even in higher concentrations; some fatalities have occurred in children.
- Poisoning by carbolic acid is known as carbolism. The acid in a concentrated form acts as a corrosive and remotely as a narcotic poison. It coagulates proteins but does not enter a firm chemical combination with them. Applied to the skin, it causes a burning sensation followed by tingling, numbness and anesthesia due to its effect on sensory nerve endings.
- Dangerous symptoms may be caused by 0.3 to 0.42 g of carbolic acid; about 2g is the average fatal dose. A quarter of a teaspoon full dissolved in glycerin killed a six month old child.
- Fatal Period or death usually occurs within three to four hours, but it has taken place between three to twenty minutes. On the other hand, death has been delayed for sixty hours and even for some days.
- Carbolic acid is largely used as an antiseptic, as a disinfectant and as a preservative. It is used in the preparation of many disinfecting powders. Carbolic soaps should not be used for enemas. Being easily procurable several cases of accidental and suicidal poisoning by carbolic acid have occurred.
- Due to powerful odor and bitter taste it is rarely used for homicidal purposes though it has been sometimes used for murdering children and infants.
(Contributed by Dr Sudhir Gupta)
No comments:
Post a Comment