Senger (Br. M. J., May 19, 1888,) has proved by experiments on dogs and
rabbits that the antiseptic agents commonly employed are liable to cause
degeneration of the kidneys. He injected into perfectly healthy animals
corrosive sublimate, carbolic acid, etc., in one-twelfth the quantity
necessary to kill them. Then on extirpation of one kidney he found in
all cases, on microscopical examination, glomerulo-nephritis. He also
found fatty degeneration of the liver, spleen, the heart-muscle, etc.
The various antiseptic agents were found to be injurious in different
degrees, corrosive sublimate being the most dangerous, then the others
in the following order: iodoform, carbolic acid, salicylic acid, boric
acid. These observations especially enforce the importance of avoiding
the use of antiseptics in the abdominal cavity, or in other large
cavities under conditions favorable to absorption. Sterilized water or a
five per cent. chloride of sodium solution should be substituted for use
in the peritoneum. Senger has shown that the salt solution in no way
injures the organs, and that it possesses moderate antiseptic power,
killing the streptococcus pyogenes aureus in twenty-eight minutes.