Ballistol for Skin and Wound Care

Skin Wound Oil Dr. Schmid

Peter Schmid

• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN:
  9783748156826
• eBook ISBN:
  9783746070513
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Medical Theory, Practice & Reference

Ballistol is safe in its use for wounds, on skin and mucosa and for exposed gut. There were several incidents of a suspected allergic reaction to Ballistol, however, re-exposure did not create any problems. Ballistol can be used as a disinfectant. Its use does not hinder wound healing; it seems to even promote wound healing as opposed to other disinfectants. In wounds, Ballistol has a local anesthetic affect, and it facilitates the dressing change due to its lubricant effect. Since it is water soluble it can be completely washed out of wounds with normal saline or drinking water. Ballistol can be used with Vac systems, with PolymemR and also with a Chloramine 0.1% solution. It is feasible to have patients change themselves their wound dressings using drinking water to irrigate and clean the wound as needed, followed by the application of Ballistol into the wound and its surroundings. The wound may be covered with clean, even non-sterile gauzes wetted with Ballistol. This allows for a very cost-efficient and readily available treatment. Ballistol is available in most countries in weapon shops and it is affordable. All these properties make the use of Ballistol attractive especially in third World countries and in situations with limited resources.

1 Introduction

In 1991 at the Medizinische Akademie Magdeburg East Germany in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit a young woman suffered from severe septicemia with multiple organ failure. Three days ago, she had a total colectomy and an ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis done. The ileal pouch was floating in pus and it had to be removed. The patient got a Brook ileostomy. She was left with a huge hole which was draining pus out of her anus. I was desperate to find a way to handle this wound. We at that time did not have advanced western technologies available. The nursing team told me that hunters also used Ballistol for their wounds and this with good results. I agreed to have them use it for the wound in this patient. The patient recovered and the wound healed by secondary intention. I read about Ballistol and I found this:

BALLISTOL: Two labels, same great formula; Ballistol has been around in Europe for over three generations. Originally invented for military use it became a household word in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Millions of users have experimented with Ballistol and found new surprising applications for it, some of which reach into the field of veterinary and even human medicine. In the United States the law prohibits a seller to advertise or recommend a product for use as a drug in human or veterinary medicine, unless the Food and Drug Administration have approved it for these uses. Ballistol has not been submitted for approval by the FDA as a drug. In Germany, a modified formula of Ballistol, Neo - Ballistol, is admitted for use in veterinary and human medicine. Neo - Ballistol is not sold in the USA, Canada or Mexico.

BALLISTOL: ITS BIRTH: In 1874, Friedrich Wilhelm Klever, an attorney with interest in economy, founded the “Klever Company” in Cologne, Germany. He began producing oils and greases from coal and eventually bought a coal mine so he would not run out of raw materials. At the turn of the century the imperial German Army (the Wehrmacht) began to look for an all-round oil. The idea was to maintain the metallic parts of the soldier’s rifle but also to protect the wooden stocks and his leather gear. The soldier was to use the same oil for the treatment of wounds, sores and scratches. Friedrich’s son, Dr. Helmut Klever, had become a professor of chemistry at the Technical University of Karlsruhe. He set out to develop what the Army wanted. In 1904 he succeeded to produce a special oil which he named Ballistol, from the word ballistic and the Latin word for oil ‘oleum’. Thus, the descriptive meaning of the word Ballistol is: Ballistic oil. It soon became obvious that the new wonder oil had truly amazing capabilities. The Army tested it and adopted it in 1905 and it stayed in use until 1945. But the word had spread and within a decade hunters, boaters, motorists, hikers, mountaineers and outdoorsmen in Germany, Austria and Switzerland convened to the new miracle oil.

BALLISTOL: UNIQUE FEATURES: The most astounding feature of Ballistol is perhaps its universality. There are other protectants / lubricants in the market, but none of them have the same wide range of applications, in combination with other unique capabilities as compared to Ballistol. Ballistol can be used to clean, to preserve, to protect, to prevent corrosion, to maintain, to impregnate and disinfect not only objects made out of metal but also out of wood, hard plastics and even smooth leather. WARNING: Do not use on suede. While Ballistol is capable of neutralizing mild acids and human hand sweat, which is of a slightly acidic nature Ballistol does not resinify. Most other lubricants are subject to relatively fast aging and oxidation. They harden in time - a process that is called “resinification”. The oil begins to thicken, becomes sticky, gluey and finally turns into a hard-resinous substance. By contrast, Ballistol contains a combination of anti-oxidants and medical oils, which - together - make it much less susceptible to the process of aging than other lubricants.

In 1985 a bottle with Ballistol was found in an attic where it had been left for over 60 years. The oil had not hardened and the chemical analysis revealed that it still had the same degree of purity as freshly produced Ballistol. The oil had become a little darker but not even the slightest trace of resinification could be discovered.

After World War II, the Klever Company conducted a long-term test with Ballistol. Several rifles and shotguns were treated with Ballistol, wrapped in wax-impregnated paper and stored in a trunk. All this was done under the supervision of a sworn expert for firearms and explosives. After 25 years, the same expert opened the packages and inspected the firearms. All weapons had remained completely rust free on the inside and outside. No resinification of Ballistol had occurred. After pulling a dry cotton wad through the barrels several rounds were fired from the weapons without malfunction. Ballistol truly stands the test of time. If something needs long term preservation, only Ballistol will do the job.

BALLISTOL: ENVIRONMENT: Ballistol is biodegradable. Neither its use nor its disposal will pollute our precious air or water. Its natural decomposition will not produce any by-products that may be harmful to the environment. If you wish to spray it, you can do so by means of a pump spray device or an aerosol. The aerosol does not contain CFCs as propellant but butane and pressurized air. Ballistol allows you to protect, clean, preserve, lubricate, impregnate and disinfect your equipment without contaminating the environment.

BALLISTOL: METAL: Human sweat is composed of amino acids and is, therefore, of a slightly acidic nature. This can be a real problem in fine mechanics. The effect of human hand sweat on polished metal surfaces is similar to the etching process. This is why Ballistol is widely used in the precision gauge and tool industry and in the production of scales or other precision instruments. For the same reason Ballistol is used in quality control departments of manufacturing companies and in laboratories for the protection and maintenance of precision gauges and measuring tools. Ballistol forms a protective film on the surface of metals. Due to its low superficial tension, it is capable of creeping into the finest cracks and fissures in metallic surfaces. Of course, Ballistol can do whatever other lubricants/ protectants can do. Use it on tight or squeaky hinges, on door locks, padlocks, for maintenance of gardening tools, lawn mowers, scissors, pocket knives, as sharpening oil, on bicycles, motorcycles, your model train, roller skates or blades, ski bindings and edges, etc. However, Ballistol does more: It can be used to polish silver and brass; and it will even protect wet surfaces. Unlike most other lubricants Ballistol emulsifies with water. Water will separate the leading brand from metal. Ballistol mixes with the water and penetrates it. When the water evaporates, Ballistol stays behind and continues to protect the metal or plastic or wood.

BALLISTOL: MOTOR VEHICLES: While Ballistol can lubricate, and protect anything in and on your car or motorcycle; some applications may appear surprising and deserve mentioning. Ballistol will prevent your door locks from freezing in the cold season. It will keep your battery terminals corrosion free; it will also neutralize excess acid around your batteries, which is a frequent cause of corrosion of terminals and connecting cables. Wire pulls on motorcycles can be lubricated and maintained in smooth operation with Ballistol. A few drops of Ballistol in the last bucket of water, when you wash your car, will brighten up dull body paint. Dry the car with soft cotton cloth for a better shine. Ballistol cleans and maintains all chrome plated parts. Soak tar and insect stains with Ballistol and wipe with a soft cotton cloth to remove them. If you cannot get your usual high-octane fuel or if you are driving in the mountains and your motor starts knocking; pour a few fluid ounces of Ballistol in your tank and the knocking will subside. If you are a collector of oldies, or if you wish to demobilize your vehicle for an extended period of time, Ballistol is for you. Unscrew the spark plugs and pour or spray about one fluid ounce of Ballistol into each cylinder then close the opening with a Ballistol soaked cotton cloth. The same applies to winterizing boat or motorcycle motors. Due to its alkalinity, Ballistol will neutralize acidic residues from fuel and oil combustion and keep cylinders and pistons corrosion free. Ballistol can be emulsified with water. However, even the milky white emulsion acts as a corrosion protectant. When the water evaporates, Ballistol is left behind and continues to protect. Ballistol can be used to evacuate water from fuel tanks, due to its capability to react with the gas and the water.

BALLISTOL: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT: Ballistol is ideal for the re-lubrication of moving mechanical parts of typewriters, electronic printers, video cameras, printing calculators, etc. because of its resistance to resinification and its compatibility with plastic components. The German PC magazine “64er” tested Ballistol on a Star LN10 printer with very positive results (64er, no. 5, May 1988, pp. 34-35). When using Ballistol in electronic equipment do not spray! Apply with a fine water color brush or pipette. BALLISTOL has a conductivity of 0.005 Micro-Siemens/cm, which is 1/60 the conductivity of water. It is thus nearly an insulator and safe for use in electrical insulation.

BALLISTOL: WOOD: Ballistol maintains, protects, preserves and rejuvenates unpainted wooden surfaces. It regenerates natural wood and brings out the wood grain. It protects wood against damage from humidity and insects. Especially antique furniture and old, dry, dull wood regain their natural silky glow when treated with Ballistol. Ballistol is ideal for oiled stocks of firearms.

BALLISTOL: FIREARMS: Ballistol dissolves traces of lead, copper, zinc, brass and tombac, which are used to make projectiles and jackets for them. Residues of these metals will remain in the bore of any firearm as a result of shooting jacketed or unjacketed lead projectiles. The use of Ballistol makes scraping or brushing the bore unnecessary. Just pour or spray enough Ballistol into the barrel and chamber, turn the firearm around several times to allow Ballistol to reach all parts and let it act for a while. It will then completely clean out all of those residues. Due to its alkaline character, Ballistol is ideal for cleaning and maintaining black-powder firearms. The residues from black powder in chambers and bores are acidic. Ballistol neutralizes and dissolves them. This eliminates the need for brutal mechanical scrubbing and aggressive solvents. Using Ballistol to maintain wooden gunstocks is particularly recommended in climates with frequent rain and / or high relative humidity. Wood absorbs water and swells as a consequence. This may mean: your stocks become bigger, wider and longer as they absorb more and more water. Before long they will no longer fit your gun or even crack. Ballistol will also prevent wood from drying out in hot arid climates.

BALLISTOL: LEATHER: Leather that is frequently exposed to rain or high humidity will become hard and brittle, if not treated adequately. Ballistol will keep all smooth leathers soft. However, being an oil after all, Ballistol should not be used on suede for obvious reasons. Ballistol effectively protects leather against the impact of water, insects and fungi. Its use is recommended for carrying slings, belts, scabbards, holsters, boots, saddles, bridles, baseball gloves, saddle bags and motorcycle clothes made of leather. If properly processed, leather will contain acidic residues from tannic acid. Ballistol will form a permanent chemical compound with these residues within the leather, which will make the leather virtually impermeable to water. Handguns, in particular police handguns, are mostly carried and even stored in leather holsters. If not made out of stainless steel, or chrome or nickel plated, handguns may develop corrosion in the areas where they have direct contact with the leather. By treating the inside of the holster with Ballistol the acidic residues from tannic acid will be completely neutralized and this source of corrosion will be eliminated.

BALLISTOL: PLASTICS, PAINTS: Ballistol will not negatively affect plastic materials or paints which are chemically resistant to oils. Specifically, Ballistol will not adversely affect PVC, high-pressure polyethylene, Mipolam, Teflon-derivatives or Hostaflon derivatives. It can be safely applied to the gel coat of fiberglass boats. Caution is recommended with foamed polymers like polyester, foamed rubber or caulking foam in the areas of direct contact. As a rule of thumb, it may be safely assumed that all plastic materials, polymers, paints, lacquers or varnishes that are chemically neutral toward technical oils will not be adversely affected by Ballistol either. The same holds true about rubber objects. All those types of rubbers, which are chemically resistant against mineral oils, will also remain unaffected by Ballistol. Rubbers that are not resistant against mineral oils may become brittle if exposed to Ballistol for an extended period of time and/or under higher than ambient temperatures. If applied thinly, Ballistol is suitable for maintaining and cleaning any sort of rubber without damage. Varnishes are synthetic substances, which transform into polymers when drying. Their characteristics can vary widely depending on their chemical composition. All those varnishes and paints which have a chemical structure similar to that of oil-resistant polymers are chemically resistant to Ballistol. A thin film of Ballistol can be used to polish painted surfaces. It will restore their original shine and additionally will make them water-repellent. However, care should be taken not to apply too much Ballistol, since this would not only be a waste but might also make the paint dull. When washing your car, put a few drops of Ballistol into the last bucket of water and dry with a clean cotton cloth. This will definitely brighten up your car’s paint. Ballistol has been used with great success on old gramophone records. If applied thinly it will eliminate static noise and enhance the sound quality. DO NOT USE ON COMPACT DISCS!

BALLISTOL: THE INDUSTRY: Numerous beverage manufacturers, bottling companies and breweries in Europe use Ballistol for the maintenance and protection of their machinery. Among them are bottling stations for Coca Cola, mineral water companies and, of course, many of Germany’s famous beer breweries. One of Germany’s largest precision scale manufacturers, Bizerba, has specified Ballistol for use in their precision scales and has been using it for many years. The main reason is that Ballistol does not resinify even after a long time and that parts lubri...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• 1. Introduction
• 2. How Ballistol became Dr. Schmid’s Skin Wound Oil
• 3. First no hope case: Ballistol to avoid amputation
• 4. Ballistol for outpatient wound care by a family member
• 5. Ballistol stopped due to medical legal problems
• 6. Prosthetic graft infection and Ballistol
• 7. Prosthetic graft infection: Chloramine 0.5%
• 8. Ballistol with VAC eliminates bacteria resistant to antibiotics
• 9. No bacterial or fungal overgrowth with Ballistol
• 10. Ballistol for non-healing wounds in peripheral vascular disease
• 11. Ballistol for venous ulcers
• 12. Open fasciotomies – Ballistol prior to closure
• 13. Ballistol for dry necrosis
• 14. Ballistol allows for simplified palliative care of wet gangrene
• 15. Hospital acquired MRSA and Ballistol
• 16. Ballistol for infected lymph fistula
• 17. Ballistol for normal wounds in outpatients
• 18. Ballistol in war zone surgery
• 19. Overview of cases treated with Ballistol from 1997 – 2017
• 20. Summary
• Notes
• Copyright