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

• Poisoning by phenol 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.