AKTIZYMOTICS, ANTIPYKBTICS, ANTIPEEIODICS. 169 



volatile oils. It liquefies -when triturated with equal 

 quantities of camphor, menthol, or chloral. 



Thymol resembles both carbolic acid and oil of tur- 

 pentine in its action, being a powerful antiseptic and 

 germicide like the former, and like the latter an irri- 

 tant to the organs of elimination and a paralyzant. 

 Toxic doses, when absorbed, paralyze the nerve cen- 

 tres in the spinal cord and medulla from the first, 

 with no preliminary stimulation — slowing respira- 

 tion, lowering arterial tension and body-temperature, 

 as well as lessening reflex excitability. It is elimi- 

 nated by the kidneys and respiratory organs, causing 

 more or less irritation at the points of elimination. 

 Autopsies on animals poisoned by it show fatty de- 

 generation of the liver (as with phosphorus), and 

 great congestion of the bronchial and pulmonary mu- 

 cous membranes and of the kidneys. 



Thymol is emploj'ed as an antiseptic application to 

 wounds and skin diseases, and as a spray or inhala- 

 tion in chronic affections of the lungs and bronchi. 

 It has considerable repute in vesical catarrh. Dose: 

 H., gr. x.-xxx. ; D., gr. ss.-v. 



Menthol, peppermint camphor— C,„H„OH — is a 

 stearopten, isomeric with thymol, and is obtained 

 from oil of peppermint by deposit on exposure to cold. 

 It occurs in colorless crystals or masses, having the 

 characteristic taste and odor of peppermint oil. 

 Soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, but only 

 sparingly soluble in water. Dose : H. , gr.xv.- 3 se. ; 

 D., gr. ss.-iij. 



Oleum Menthce Piperitce, oil of peppermint, is the 



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