Toxicity of Certain Widely Used Antiseptics

1. The substances injected intraperitoneally into mice and guinea pigs arranged in the order of their decreasing toxicity are: eucalyptol and brilliant green; mercurophen; mercuric chloride and chloramine-T; dichloramine-T and proflavine; hychlorite, Dakin's hypochlorite, Javelle water, and magnesium hypochlorite; iodine and phenol. 2. Now that Dakin's bland solvent, chlorcosane, is available as a vehicle for dichloramine-T, eucalyptol should probably be discarded for this purpose because of its much greater toxicity. 3. Inasmuch as experienced surgeons do not approve of the injection of solutions of iodine and phenol into closed cavities, it would seem advisable not to use any of the antiseptics here discussed in this manner inasmuch as all exhibit a greater toxicity for mice and guinea pigs than the two chemicals first named. 4. The method of testing toxicity of antiseptics by subcutaneous injection is not satisfactory because exudation and subsequent sloughing reduce the rate of absorption and make uncertain the amount finally absorbed.