168 VETEEINAET MATBEIA MEDIC A. 



diaphoretic, and antiferment, of more potency than 

 either of its constituents ; is not so toxic, nor so irri- 

 tant and depressant. It is also sedative to the cere- 

 bro-spinal system. 



Therapeutics.— Salicylic acid is employed in 

 acute catarrhal conditions of the respiratory appara- 

 tus, in influenza, rheumatism, purpura, peritonitis, in 

 fevers, especially of the septicasmic kind; as an anti- 

 ferment in colic, tympanites, etc., in the horse, cattle, 

 and sheep. Externally — in eczema, parasitic skin 

 affections, to gangrenous wounds, etc. 



Sodium and lithium salicylate — for the same pur- 

 poses as the acid, but are preferable in rheumatic dis- 

 orders. 



Salol, besides the uses already mentioned, is one of 

 the best disinfectants for the gut, being an efficient 

 remedy for duodenal catarrh, vesical catarrh, etc., 

 and as an antiseptic for the urinary apparatus. As a 

 febrifuge it supersedes salicylic acid and its other 

 preparations. It is much employed in infectious 

 diarrhoea in calves, sheep, and dogs. 



Thymol and Menthol. 



Thymol — G^^^fl — is a phenol contained in oil of 

 thyme and in the volatile oils of several other plants. 

 It occurs as large hexagonal crystals, nearly or quite 

 colorless, having an aromatic, thyme-like odor, a 

 pungent, aromatic taste, with a very slight caustic 

 effect upon the lips, and a neutral reaction. Soluble 

 in 1,300 parts of water and in 1 part of alcohol; also 

 in ether, chloroform, glacial acetic acid, fixed and 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



