244 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Class 6 — Antiseptics. 



AciDUM Cakbolicum CnuDUM. Crude Carbolic Acid. 



Synonym. — Acide phfinique cru, Fr. ; rohe carbolsiiure, G. 



Derivation. — A liquid consisting of various constituents of coal tar, chiefly 

 cresol and phenol, obtained by fractional distillation at a temperature between 

 302° F. and 392° F., and twice rectified at a temperature between 338° F. and 

 374° F. 



Properties. — A nearly colorless, or reddish-brown liquid of a strongly em- 

 pyreumatic and creasote-Uke odor, having a benumbing, blanching and caustic 

 effect upon the skin or mucous membrane, and gradually turning darker on 

 exposure to the air and light. Soluble in 15 parts of water. The aqueous^ solution 

 has a slight acid reaction. 



Pheuol. Phenol. (U. S. P.) 

 Aeidum Carbolicum. Carbolic Acid. CoH.O H. (B. P., P. G.) 



Synonym. — Hydroxybenzene, phenic acid, phenyl alcohol, phenylicum crystal- 

 lisatum, E.; ph6nol acide phSnique, acide carbolique, Fr.; carbolsaure, phenyl- 

 saure, G. 



Derivation. — Obtained from crude carbolic acid by agitation with caustic 

 soda, heating to 338° F., and adding hydrochloric acid. Then by agitation with 

 sodium chloride, digestion with calcium chloride, and distillation at a temperature 

 between 336° F., and 374° F., and finally by crystallization. 



Properties. — Colorless, interlaced, or separate, needle-shaped crystals, or a 

 white crystalline mass, sometimes acquiring a red tint; having a characteristic, 

 somewhat aromatic odor, and when copiously diluted with water, a sweetish taste 

 with a slightly burning after-taste. Deliquescent on exposure to damp air. Solu- 

 ble in about 1.6 parts of water, and very soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, 

 glycerin, carbon disulphide, fixed and volatile oils. Neutral or faintly acid 

 reaction in solution (1-15). 



Phenol crystals melt when heated, but solidify again on cooling. A 95 per 

 cent, solution of carbolic acid crystals, in alcohol, remains fluid at the ordinary 

 temperature. The crystals are also liquefied by the addition of about 8 per cent, 

 of water. 



Doae.—H. & C, 3ss-ii, (2-8); Sh. & Sw., gr.x-xx, (0.6-1.3); D., gr.ss-i, 

 (.08-.06). 



FBEFAKATIOXS. 



Unguentum Phenolis. (U. S. P.) 



Unguentum Acidi Carbolici. Ointment of Carbolic Acid. (B. P.) 



Phenol, 2.25; ointment, 97.76 (U. S. P.) ; 4 per cent., B. P. 



Olyceritum Phenolis. (U. S. P.) 



Olyceritum Acidi Carbolici. Glycerite of Carbolic Acid. (B. P.) 



Phenol, 20; glycerin, 80. 



Phenol Liquef actum. (U. S. P.) 

 Aeidum Carbolicum Liquefactum. Liquefied Carbolic Acid. (B. P.) 

 Carbolic acid liquefied by addition of 10 per cent, of water. 

 Dose. — Same as aeidum carbolicum. 



Action External. — Phenol causes burning pain when applied to the 

 skin or mucous membranes, and this action is followed by local anes- 

 thesia and the production of a dry white spot. If used in suiGcient 

 quantity, it leads to sloughing, but the escharotic effect is superficial, 

 since the acid coagulates albumin, which forms a protective coating over 

 the underlying parts. Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant, and, in 

 proper solution, acts as a sedative upon the peripheral sensory nerves, 

 and is one of the most efficient agents in relieving itching. It checks the 

 growth of both organized (bacteria) and unorganized (digestive) fer- 

 ments. Strong solutions (1-2 per cent.) kill most bacteria, but a con- 



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