636 THYMOL 



inducing from its absorption injurious constitutional effects, 

 such as are apt to follow the free use of strong carbolic 

 preparations. 



Sanitas powder and sawdust are used with good effect 

 for disinfecting and deodorising stables, kennels, cow- 

 sheds, and piggeries. Sprinkled upon the floors, they also 

 purify the air of slaughter-houses, menageries, manufactories, 

 and exhibitions ; while on shipboard they destroy unpleasant 

 odours, and substitute their own camphoric aroma. These 

 preparations are largely used in hospitals and by medical 

 officers of health. 



THYMOL 



THYMOL a crystalline substance, obtained from the vola- 

 tile oils of Thymus vulgaris and Carum copticum. 

 Purified by recrystallisation from alcohol (B.P.). 



Thymus vulgaris (Nat. Ord. Labiatse) is a bushy ever- 

 green shrub found in dry situations throughout Southern 

 Europe. It derives its aroma from an essential oil separable 

 into two parts (1) the fluid thymene, which is isomeric 

 with oil of turpentine (C 10 H 16 ) ; and (2) the solid thymol. 



Thymol (C 10 H 13 OH) occurs in large oblique prisms, with 

 a pungent, aromatic taste. It requires for solution 333 

 parts of water, 190 of glycerin, or two of olive oil ; and is 

 freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and fats. It 

 sinks in cold water, but heated to 110 to 125 Fahr., it 

 melts and floats on the surface. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Thymol is antiseptic, disinfectant, 

 diaphoretic, diuretic, and vermicide. Large doses paralyse 

 the nerve centres of the cord and medulla. It has most of 

 the characteristic properties of a volatile oil. Brunton 

 states that its physiological actions place it between oil of 

 turpentine and carbolic acid. 



Solutions of one per cent, destroy bacteria and prevent 

 reproduction of their spores. Applied to the skin or mucous 

 surfaces it causes irritation, followed by anaesthesia. When 

 swallowed it is slowly absorbed. Dogs weighing 20 pounds 

 and rabbits weighing 7 pounds, receiving respectively 60 

 and 30 grains injected hypodermically, exhibited lowered 



