BEHAVIOR OF HYPOCHLORITE AND OF CHLORAMINE-T SOLUTIONS IN CONTACT WITH NECROTIC AND NORMAL TISSUES IN VIVO

Abstract

1. The fall in chlorine concentration of Dakin's hypochlorite solution is more rapid in contact with necrotic than in contact with normal tissue. 2. The fall in chlorine concentration of chloramine-T solution is very slight when applied to necrotic tissue and is negligible when applied to normal tissue. 3. The action of the hypochlorite solution on tissue results in the separation of particles of necrotic tissue, hair, epithelial scales, coagulated serum, etc., and a gradual digestion of these substances, taking place over a period of at least 17 hours. 4. The fall in the chlorine concentration of the hypochlorite solution is not complete until the particles are completely dissolved. 5. Chloramine-T solution, 2 per cent, has no erosive effect comparable with that exhibited by the hypochlorite solution. 6. Repeated exposures to the three solutions show the hypochlorite solution to be superior in its cleansing ability on necrotic tissue. 7. The hypochlorite solution is much more irritating to normal rabbit skin than chloramine-T solution or the alkaline control solution. 8. Therefore, the irritating effects must be due to the readily available chlorine.