Carbolic soap
Encyclopedia
Carbolic soap is a mildly disinfectant soap containing carbolic acid (phenol
). Once widely available in the United States and the most common disinfectant cleaner in hospitals, it has disappeared from all but specialty retail stores. It is distributed to disaster victims for routine hygiene by the Red Cross and other relief organizations. Remembered by many older Americans as the household soap of their childhood, it is sought after by some for its nostalgic sweet, tarry smell. By killing bacteria, it acts as a mild deodorant when used as a body soap.
In England it was used in state schools at least up until the 1970s; in Scottish state schools its use continued at least until the early 1980's. The smell is evocative for generations of children. Quite often it would irritate the skin.
In the 1960s teachers in England were allowed to use corporal punishment in the classroom, so along with the cane, a child who swore in class might be made to wash their mouth out with carbolic soap.
Carbolic soap is still used regularly in the Caribbean region, especially Jamaica where it can be found in most drugstores or super markets.
Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...
). Once widely available in the United States and the most common disinfectant cleaner in hospitals, it has disappeared from all but specialty retail stores. It is distributed to disaster victims for routine hygiene by the Red Cross and other relief organizations. Remembered by many older Americans as the household soap of their childhood, it is sought after by some for its nostalgic sweet, tarry smell. By killing bacteria, it acts as a mild deodorant when used as a body soap.
In England it was used in state schools at least up until the 1970s; in Scottish state schools its use continued at least until the early 1980's. The smell is evocative for generations of children. Quite often it would irritate the skin.
In the 1960s teachers in England were allowed to use corporal punishment in the classroom, so along with the cane, a child who swore in class might be made to wash their mouth out with carbolic soap.
Carbolic soap is still used regularly in the Caribbean region, especially Jamaica where it can be found in most drugstores or super markets.