Lysoform

Lysoform (Lysoform), a soap spirit with formalin, containing from 6% to 15% formaldehyde (HCHO). Under the name Liquor Formaldehydi saponatus, Lysoform is accepted into the British Pharmacopoeia (about 8% HCHO). For successful preparation, one must use soap that is easily soluble in water (usually potassium soap made from oleic acid or oils containing no stearin) and formalin that has not undergone polymerization. The presence of 10–30% alcohol contributes to the better preservation of the preparation; lavender or other essential oils serve as a scent. The role of soap in Lysoform reduces to facilitating the penetration of the disinfecting agent—formaldehyde—due to the soap's ability to emulsify fats and other substances insoluble in water. As is known, the reducing action of formalin manifests significantly more energetically in an alkaline environment. Lysoform is used in dilutions of 1:100 to 5:100 as a disinfectant; for ordinary vaginal douches, a solution of 1:50 to 1:100 is used (from a dessert spoon to 1 tablespoon per Esmarch irrigator of water). The antiseptic action of Lysoform is significantly lower than the action of mercuric chloride and even lysol. In forensic medicine, cases of Lysoform poisoning are known; nevertheless, Lysoform is less toxic than similar cresol preparations.