EEsoEom 337 



cent, ointment for parasitic skin diseases. " Naphtalin is 

 almost insoluble in the digestive tract, and acts as an anti- 

 septic, therefore, throughout this canal. It is of service in 

 intestinal fermentation, diarrhoea, dysentery, and, as a ver- 

 micide, in combination with castor oil. Naphtalin is 

 administered to dogs in starch wafers or gelatine capsules ; 

 and to horses in ball or electuary. 



Keboecinol. Eesorcin. CeH,(0 H)^. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Kesorcinum. Metadioxybenzol. 



Derivation. — A diatomic phenol formed by the action of 

 fuming sulphuric acid upon benzine, whereby benzine meta- 

 disulphonic acid [CeH, (H S Oj)^] resultw. The latter is 

 neutralized by milk of lime ; calcium sulphate is expressed, 

 and sodium carbonate is added. The process is continued 

 by filtration, and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The 

 residue is heated with sodium hydrate, with the formation 

 of sodium resorcin [OeH^ (O Na)^]. 



Sulphurous acid is driven off from sodium resorcin by 

 boiling, and the result is extracted with ether; impure 

 resorcin is recovered by distillation, and is purified by sub- 

 limation or by recrystallization from water. 



Properties. — Colorless, or faintly reddish, needle-shaped 

 crystals, or rhombic plates ; having a faint, peculiar odor, 

 and a disagreeable, sweetish, and afterward pungent taste. 

 Eesorcin acquires a reddish or brownish tint on exposure 

 to light and air. Soluble in 0.6 part of water, and in 0.5 

 part of alcohol ; readily soluble in ether or glycerin, and 

 very slightly soluble in chloroform. 



JDosc—B.., 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.); Foals and Calves, 3 ss.-i. (2.-4); 

 D., gr.ii.-v. (.12-.3). 



Action and C/ses.— Eesorcin was originally employed as 

 an antipyretic, but is not now used for this action, being too 

 depressing to the heart. It is an efficient antiseptic, exter- 

 nally and internally; possesses a slight local anaesthetic 

 effect, and is not nearly so irritating topically as phenol. 



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