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DENTAL MEDICINE.
470
soluble in water. As an expectorant it has been used in humoral
asthma and in chronic pulmonary catarrh, in doses of from gr. viii
to XXX, in syrup or emulsions, and as an ointment in skin diseases
of a scaly nature; also as a vermifuge in doses for adults of gr.
XV, followed immediately by 2 ounces of castor oil. Naphthalin
is a powerful antiseptic, and can be used as a substitute for iodo-
form, with the advantage of not producing any constitutional ac-
tion. Its application causes a slight pain of short duration. As
an antiseptic and disinfectant, it is applied to indolent ulcers,
septic and unhealthy wounds, ulcerating cancerous growths,
phagedenic ulcers, etc. It is said that its antiseptic property is
superior to that of carbolic acid, and as an odorless preparation, it
will no doubt become a desirable substitute, as it has no corro-
sive action and will not injure textile fabrics. To deodorize
naphthalin, simple mixture with benzoic acid or tincture of ben-
zoin does not suffice ; but if mixed with benzoin and then sub-
limed, it loses its tarry odor and acquires a pleasant smell which
it retains.
NAPHTHOL-NAPHTHOL.
Formula.—Ci^H^O=^C,,U^,OH.
Derivation.—Naphthol is an alcohol derived from Naphthalene
(CjoHg), which is obtained from coal-tar in the form of white
shining crystals of a strong, disagreeable odor, soluble in alcohol,
but insoluble in water, and employed locally in indolent ulcers
and as a disinfectant in pus-pockets and wounds and skin diseases.
(See Naphthalene.)
Medical Properfies and Therapeutic Uses.—There are two forms
of Naphthol, known as a and b Naphthol, the latter being em-
ployed medicinally on account of its less irritating and injurious
action. It is in the form of light-brown crystals, soluble in hot
water, and possessing antiseptic properties, and employed inter-
nally and locally in the form of ointment with vaselin dissolved
in alcohol, ether or olive oil, in the proportion of two per cent.
It is employed in parasitic diseases of the skin, and as a general
antiseptic.
Hydronaphthol.—The chemistry of this agent, which is sup-