Drug jar for carbolic acid ointment

Drug jar for carbolic acid ointment, containing white ointment, pink and white ceramic jar labelled "UNG: ACID: CARB:" white label with red and gold border.

'Ung: Acid: Carb' translates to carbolic acid unguent or ointment. Also known as phenol, carbolic acid is an antiseptic popularised by Scottish surgeon, Joseph Lister. In the 1860s, he developed a system of surgery, called anti-sepsis where chemical and steam solutions were used to remove infection causing agents. The idea that infections were caused by micro-organism or germs were still very much in its early stages and not widely believed.

Carbolic acid ointment was used for wound care, itching and boils but can irritate the skin in high doses and can cause complications.

Low concentrations of phenol continue to be used skin ttreatments.