The autopsy revealed no change or signs
indicative of the cause of death. Hogner mentions two instances
of death from the employment of 2 1/2 per cent solution of boric
acid in washing out a dilated stomach The symptoms were quite
similar to those mentioned by Molodenkow.
In recent years the medical profession has become well aware that
in its application to wounds it is possible for carbolic acid or
phenol to exercise exceedingly deleterious and even fatal
consequences. In the earlier days of antisepsis, when operators
and patients were exposed for some time to an atmosphere
saturated with carbolic spray, toxic symptoms were occasionally
noticed. Von Langenbeck spoke of severe carbolic-acid
intoxication n a boy in whom carbolic paste had been used in the
treatment of abscesses. The same author reports two instances of
death following the employment of dry carbolized dressings after
slight operations. Kohler mentions the death of a man suffering
from scabies who had applied externally a solution containing
about a half ounce of phenol. Rose spoke of gangrene of the
finger after the application of carbolized cotton to a wound
thereon. In some cases phenol acts with a rapidity equal to any
poison.
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