Monday 10 December 2012

Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Phenol poisoning is known as carbolism



  • Dettol is a chlorinated phenol and it is nontoxic to adults even in higher concentrations; some fatalities have occurred in children.
  • Poisoning by phenol or Dettol is known as carbolism because of the carbolic acid.
  • The acid in a concentrated form acts as a corrosive and remotely as a narcotic poison.
  • It coagulates proteins but does not form a firm chemical combination with them. Applied to the skin, it causes a burning sensation followed by tingling, numbness and anesthesia due to its effect on sensory nerve endings.
  • Dangerous symptoms may be caused by 0.3 to 0.42 g of carbolic acid; about 2g is the average fatal dose.
    A quarter of a teaspoon full dissolved in glycerin killed a six month old child.
  • Carbolic acid is largely used as an antiseptic, as a disinfectant and as a preservative. It is used in the preparation of many disinfecting powders.
  • Carbolic soaps should not be used for enemas. Several cases of accidental and suicidal poisoning by carbolic acid have occurred as it can be easily procured.
  • On account of its powerful odor and taste, it is rarely used for homicidal purposes though it has been sometimes used for murdering children and infants.

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