GARLIC AN ANTISEPTIC.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 113, 26 November 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

GARLIC AN ANTISEPTIC.

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS IX SOLDIERS' WOUNDS. Two temporary assistant doctors at Paddingroa Infirmary, Dr. A. D. Serrell Cooke and Dr. V. Gabriel, report remarkable successes with garlic juice (known medically as Succus allii) as an antiseptic in cases of infected bullet wounds.

In the current number of the 'Lancet" Dr. Cooke and Dr. Gabriel describe six cases, expressing the hope that other medical men may test the possibilities of garlic juice. The outstanding circumstance shown up to the present is that the garlic penetrates to the root of the suppuration and draws the lymph from the wound, thus leaving the flesh clean to heal. Antiseptics ordinarily are not penetrative, and in serious cases so much has been necessary .0 stop suppuration as to injure irrevocably the flesh tissues. It is claimed that garlic juice can be appliel constantly without hurting the tissues. The normal treatment at Paddington Infirmary is to wash out the wound twice daily with a solution of olie part of garlic acid and four parts of distilled water, and applv wet dressing to drain the wound. The simplicity of the process la such that it requires no trained knowledge. Within forty-eight hours the wound lias generally been under complete control. GARLIC AS A FOOD.

In England garlic is seldom used except as a seasoning. It Is an ancient medicinal remedy ai\l wJistUfcd as a rood .by Ibe Creek and Roman soldiers. A wild form of it grows in some parts of Great Britain.