_Mineral acids_ (nitric, hydrochloric, sulphuric), especially concentrated, are all germicides.
The _halogens_--chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine--are, all four, disinfectants, but not used in practice. They are named in their order of power as such.
A number of separate bodies, such as _chloroform_ and _iodoform_, have been much advocated as antiseptics. The cost of the former and odour of the latter have, however, greatly militated against their general adoption.
_Chloride of lime_ is a powerful disinfectant. Professor Sheridan Delépine and Dr. Arthur Ransome have demonstrated its germicidal effect as a solution applied directly to the walls of rooms inhabited by tuberculous patients.[104] It may also be used in solid form for dusting decomposing matter.
_Mercuric chloride_ (corrosive sublimate) has been an accepted germicide for some time. But the experiments of Behring, Crookshank, and others have proved that the weaker solutions cannot be relied upon. This is, in part, due to the fact that it forms in albuminous liquids an albuminate of mercury which is inactive. Dilute solutions have the further disadvantage of being unstable. Various authorities recommend a solution of 1-500 as a germicide, and much weaker solutions are, of course, antiseptic. An ounce each of corrosive sublimate and hydrochloric acid in three gallons of water makes an efficient disinfectant.
_Potassium permanganate_ is, of course, the chief substance in Condy's fluid, as _zinc chloride_ is in Burnett's disinfecting fluid. A 5 per cent. of the former and a 2-1/2 per cent. of the latter are germicidal.
_Boracic acid_ is one of the most useful antiseptics with which to wash sore eyes, or preserve tinned foods or milk. It is not a strong germicide, but an unirritating and effective wash. Many cases of its addition to milk have found their way into the law courts, owing to cumulative poisoning, and it should only be used with the very greatest care as a food preservative.
_Carbolic acid_ has come into prominence as an antiseptic since its adoption by Lister in antiseptic surgery. It is cheap, volatile, and effective. One part in 400 is antiseptic, and 1 in 20 germicidal. As a wash for the hands the former is used, and a weaker solution for the body generally. Carbolic soap and similar toilet combinations are now very common. At one time it appeared as if corrosive sublimate would oust carbolic from the first place as an antiseptic solution, but a large number of experiments have confirmed opinion in favour of carbolic. Professor Crookshank found that carbolic acid, 1 in 40, acting for only one minute is sufficient to destroy _Streptococcus pyogenes_, _S. erysipelatis_, and _Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus_, and in the strength of 1 in 20 carbolic acid completely sterilised tubercular sputum when shaken up with it for one minute.