Origin. - A compound resulting from the action of chlorine upon calcium hydroxide, and containing not less than 35 per cent. of available chlorine.

Description and Properties. - A white or grayish-white, granular powder, exhaling the odor of hypochlorous acid; of a repulsive saline taste, and becoming moist and gradually decomposing on exposure to air. It is but partially soluble in water or alcohol. The drug should be kept in well-closed vessels, in a cool and dry place. Used externally.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Chlorinated lime is a powerful disinfectant, yielding, when exposed to air, hypochlorous acid, which is resolved into chlorine and chloric acid, the last in turn yielding chlorine.

The effects of the drug are therefore analogous to those of chlorine, yet almost the only use which chlorinated lime serves is in disinfecting cesspools and utensils employed for receiving the dejections of invalids.