NAPHTHALENE AND NAPHTHOLS 403 



cornea, opacity of the lens, and spots on the retina (Kauf- 

 mann). It is used as an intestinal antiseptic, and vermicide, 

 is serviceable in diarrhoea and dysentery, in protracted 

 cases of influenza and purpura, and is prescribed either with 

 mucilage or castor-oil. In the bowel it is decomposed into 

 alpha- and beta-naphthols. Being excreted in part in the 

 urine, it* exerts antisepsis in diseases of the bladder. It 

 is used for antiseptic dressings, and in all animals for the 

 destruction of skin parasites. The dose for horses and cattle 

 is 3J SS to 3J V - 5 calves, grs. xxx. to 3J- \ f r sheep and 

 dogs, grs. iss. to grs. xv., administered in electuary or bolus. 

 Externally it is applied with vaseline, or glycerin. 



THE NAPHTHOLS are prepared from naphthalene. Alpha- 

 naphthol is stated to be more irritant and less toxic than 

 beta-naphthol. The /3 variety, which is chiefly used, is a 

 colourless, crystalline, phenol-smelling powder, almost 

 insoluble in water, but very soluble in alcohol, ether, 

 chloroform, olive oil, and vaseline. Its actions and uses 

 are the same as those of naphthalin, and also closely resemble 

 those of resorcin. It is antiseptic and antiparasitic. One 

 part in 3000 prevents the development of the microbes 

 of anthrax and glanders. For such antiseptic purpose it 

 is five times more effectual than carbolic acid. It is irritant 

 in contact with mucous membranes whether in vapour or 

 in solution ; hence small doses stimulate the mucous and 

 glandular secretions. Somewhat larger doses induce nausea, 

 diarrhoea, and dysuria. Powerful doses, exceeding one 

 gramme per ten kilogrammes of body weight, cause epilepti- 

 form convulsions in cats and horses, but in dogs there occur 

 instead coma and reduced temperature. Rabbits relatively 

 to their weight will stand three times the dose borne by 

 dogs and cats. Naphthol is administered internally to 

 destroy tape- and round- worms (Willenz), as well as putre- 

 factive and infective germs lodged in the intestines. As it 

 is not readily soluble, full doses exert antisepsis throughout 

 the greater portion of the intestinal tract, lessening the 

 smell and irritant action of the faeces, and hence checking 

 diarrhoea. Externally it is used as an antiseptic and 

 parasiticide, one part being mixed with six of oil or twenty 

 of vaseline. One part ft naphthol with two of camphor 



