PHENOL — CARBOLIC ACID 447 



BENZENE DERIVATIVES — PHENOL GROUP 



This group includes phenol, phenolsulphonates, creosote, guaia- 

 col, salicylates, cresol preparations, tar, resorcinol, naphthalene, etc. 



PHENOL 



Synonyms. Carbolic Acid, Phenic Acid 



Phenol is obtained from the fractional distillation of coal tar 

 and subsequent purification, or is made synthetically. It should 

 contain not less than 96 per cent, of absohite phenol. It occurs as 

 colorless, needle shaped crystals, or a white crystalline mass, of a 

 characteristic odor and sweetish burning taste. Upon exposure to 

 light, phenol assumes a reddish tint and consequently should be 

 kept in amber or blue bottles or tin containers. It is soluble in 

 19.6 parts of water at 25° 0. (5 per cent.) or in 9 parts of water 

 (90 per cent.) but is not soluble in strengths between these; freely 

 soluble in alcohol, glycerin, chloroform, ether and oils. Phenol has 

 some acid characteristics, but is really an alcohol of the benzene 

 group. 



Doses. H. 3j — ijss; 4.— 10. D. ITi %— iij ; 0.05—0.2. 



Preparations. 



Phenol Liquefactum — Liquefied phenol. This is made by 

 adding 1 gram of distilled water to each 9 grams of lique- 

 fied phenol. It contains 87 per cent, of absolute phenol, 

 or 90 per cent, of phenol U. S. P. and was introduced 

 into the pharmacopceia for convenience of dispensirg. 



Unguentum Phenolis 3 per cent, in white petrolatum. 



Olyceritum Phenolis 20 per cent, in glycerin. 



Dobell's Solution Liquor Sodii Boratis Compositus, 'N. F. 

 3 grams of phenol, 15 grams each of sodium bicarbonate 

 and borax, 35 mils of glycerin, and water to make 1000 

 mils. 



Action on Lower Life. Phenol is a specific protoplasmic poi- 

 son ; it precipitates the proteids, but differs from many proteid pre- 

 cipitants in that it does not form compounds with them, as is shown 

 by the fact that it may be washed out of the precipitate, which re- 

 mains unchanged. Phenol is a very active antiseptic for most bac- 

 teria, but not for their spores. A 1 — 1000 solution prevents the 

 growth of most bacteria and a 1 per cent, solution is fatal to most 

 pyogenic bacteria, tubercle, cholera, pus producers, etc., but anthrax 

 spores will not be destroyed in 24 hours with a 5 per cent, solution 

 and tetanus spores are almost as resistant. Solutions in fat or alco- 



