Jacquemet and Goubeau's article1 on the therapeutic uses of carbon tetrachlorid in cutaneous medicine first called my attention to its possibilities. For the past two years I have been using it as an external application, with satisfactory results. It is inexpensive, and when used with full knowledge of its possible depressing effects, is a comparatively safe remedy.
Carbon tetrachlorid, or tetrachlormethane, is obtained from carbon disulphid and chlorine gas by heat (C Cl4). Thorpe2 discusses its chemistry. According to Jacquemet and Goubeau,1 it is "a colorless liquid of a density of 1.6 with an agreeable odor (when pure) similar to chloroform (C HCl3). It is a solvent of iodin, camphor, rubber, greases, and essential oils. It is miscible with alcohol, benzol, and petrol.... It has anaesthetic properties."
Its successful internal use is noted in the treatment of uncinariasis in which as much as 3 c.c.