The antiseptic action of substances of the Chloramine group

Abstract

In the course of experiments relating to the employment of antiseptics in the treatment of infected wounds, one of the present writers introduced a modification of the ordinary sodium hypochlorite solution which was found capable of giving useful results when properly employed. The advantages of this sodium hypochlorite preparation for the treatment of infected wounds compared with some commonly used antiseptics may be referred to the following properties—though powerfully germicidal it does not coagulate blood serum or other protein substances, while at the same time it dissolves necrotic tissue; it is freely soluble and can penetrate to a certain extent, and when properly prepared it is practically non-irritating at 0·5 per cent, concentration. Out of a very large number of antiseptics that were systematically examined, the hypochlorites seemed to be among the most generally useful. It was, therefore, of interest to study the mode of action of hypochlorites and to endeavour to find related substances which might prove to be of greater practical value.