Botanic Remedies 323 



tions of the mucous membranes, from one part in 

 eight of petrolatum up to full strength. 



THYMOL 



A phenol derived from the volatile oil of Thymus 

 vulgaris, horse-mint and a few other plants. Only 

 that from thyme is designated officially in the 

 U. S. P. Thymus serpyllum, WILD THYME, and 

 GARDEN THYME and OIL OF THYME are widely 

 official. 



Thymol is a stearoptene with marked antiseptic 

 properties; it is but slowly absorbed from the ali- 

 mentary canal. Pharmacologically thymol is inter- 

 mediate between phenol and oil of turpentine; like 

 phenol, it paralyzes the end-organs of the sensory 

 nerves; if absorbed combining it with oils, such 

 as castor oil, favors its absorption it depresses the 

 nerve centers, poisonous doses causing coma and 

 death. Its slight solubility in water 1:1,500 

 limits its usefulness as an antiseptic. 



THERAPEUTICS. An oil solution of 1:1,000, or 

 one of the same strength in water, with the addition 

 first of a little alcohol to the thymol, is widely used 

 as an antiseptic; and, with other agents, thymol 

 enters into many formulae in surgery. The fact 

 that its odor is attractive to flies limits its useful- 

 ness. 



As an antiparasitic, a solution of 1:15 in alcohol 

 or ether is used in the treatment of ringworm and 

 pityriasis versicolor. Ointments (10 grains to the 

 ounce) are used in various diseases of the skin. As 

 a mouth wash, the glycerite of thymol (1:200) is 

 available. 



The principal use of thymol is in the treatment 



