412. _As an Antiseptic agent in Surgical Practice_, some trials have been made with it by Sir Joseph Fayrer (_Indian Med. Gazette_, Sept. 1869, p. 184), and he comes to the conclusion that it possesses some, if not all, the advantages assigned to Carbolic Acid in this character. He used it, pure or diluted, with equal parts of oil or glycerine; and he states that whilst it certainly has some deodorising power, it appeared also to have that of limiting suppuration and of restraining the development of septic miasmata in the discharges. He likewise found it useful as a stimulating and detergent application to _Sloughing and Ulcerated Surfaces_, and in one case of _Carbuncle_ it proved most efficacious. It causes little inconvenience beyond slight smarting. "The evidence of its virtue," Sir J. Fayrer observes, "is as yet but limited, yet it is such as to suggest the advantage of making further trial of what may prove to be a valuable addition to our surgical resources, and it has the advantage of being produced in the country." The summaries of twenty cases are appended to illustrate the use of this hydrocarbon. It is to be hoped it will meet with further trials. 413. +Kerosene Oil.+ A burning oil, refined from crude Petroleum. Pathar-ka-tél (_Punj._). 414. Owing to the extensive use of this mineral Oil for lighting purposes during the past few years, it can now be obtained in nearly every bazaar in the country. According to the experience of Dr. Aitchison, no local remedy is so pre-eminently useful in all _Skin Diseases_ as this, especially when of a parasitic origin. It is comparatively of little use in syphilitic eruptions. 415. The oil may be employed pure when no large surface is involved, but if the disease to be treated extensively covers the body, it should be diluted with equal parts of sweet oil. Nothing can come up to it, he asserts, in removing and _destroying bugs_ from old wood. It is also said to be of use in _removing white ants_. 416. _In Itch_, when of limited extent, after opening each pustule, rub into the part carefully twice or thrice daily pure Kerosene Oil. If it be extensively diffused over the whole body, after thoroughly washing with soap and water, rub in a solution of equal parts of Kerosene and Sweet Oil. This, observes Dr. Aitchison, far surpasses the Sulphur treatment. _In Ringworm_ it is sufficient to paint the affected spot with the pure oil twice or thrice daily. _In Scalled Head_, after cutting the hair as short as possible, apply a poultice to clean off the scab from the scalp, and then thoroughly saturate the cleansed surface with Kerosene Oil. During treatment the patient should wear an oil-skin cap. Oil alone, applied thus, adds Dr. Aitchison, will cure the disease, but Kerosene does it more quickly and effectually. _Lice_ of all kinds are at once destroyed by rubbing Kerosene Oil into the parts they occupy, and are totally exterminated by two or three free applications. (Dr. Aitchison.)