32 
Solubility. — Soluble in water (1:60) and miscible in all proportions 
with alcohol and gdj^cerin. 
Miscible with alkali hydroxide solutions, forming alkali cresolates, 
homologous with alkali phenolates. 
Purity. — ‘‘If 1 Cc. of cresol be mixed with 1 Cc. of glycerin, a clear 
solution should be produced, from which, on the addition of 1 Cc. of 
water, the cresol should completely separate (absence of, and dis- 
tinction from, phenol).” 
Dose. — “Average dose: 0.05 Cc. (1 minim).” (U. S. P.) 
i\Iuch has been written concerning the germicidal and toxic proper- 
ties of cresol. It is generally held that cresol is more toxic to bacte- 
ria than is phenol, but that it is less toxic to higher animals than is 
the latter. Tollens (Arch. f. exper. Path. u. Pharm. , 52, p. 220; 1905) 
finds that para-cresol is more than twice as toxic for mice as is phenol, 
ortho-cresol has the same toxicit}", while meta-cresol is less toxic. 
Thus the toxicity of a cresol will depend upon the relative proportion 
of the three constituents and these seem to vary in different prepara- 
tions; Tollens finds some specimens to be more toxic than phenol. 
The U. S. Pharmacopoeia does not specificallv state the proportions 
in which the three cresols are present, although it fixes limits for the 
boiling point, specific gravity, and solul)ilit}\ A preparation on the 
market under the name of tricresol {enteral) is said to contain 35 per 
cent of ortho-cresol, 10 per cent of meta-cresol, and 25 per cent of 
para-cresol; it is soluble to the extent of 2.2 to 2.55 per cent in water. 
The physiological action of the cresols is almost identical with that of 
phenol. 
The cresols are constituents of coal tar and other crude antiseptic 
substances. Being but slightly soluble in water, the}^ are often used 
in the form of emulsions or are dissolved with the aid of salts or of 
soap. The official Liquor Cresolis Compositus (q. v.) belongs to the 
latter class; it is practically identical with the Liquor Cresoli sapo- 
natus of the German Pharmacopoeia and the preparation on the market 
known as lysol. The mixtures known as creolins usually contain 
impure cresol dissolved with the aid of rosin soap; the}^ usually form 
emulsions when diluted with water. In solveol and solutol the cresols 
are held in solution by means of salts. A vast number of similar com- 
pounds are upon the market, usualh’ under fanciful names. 
Losophan and eitrophen are iodine compounds of cresol. Kresamine 
is an aqueous solution of tricresol and ethylenediamine. 
ELIXIR ADJUTANS. 
Adjuvant Elixir. 
This is made b}^ the addition of Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza to Aro- 
matic Elixir. An excellent vehicle for bitter or nauseous remedies. 
A somewhat similar elixir is to be found in the National Formulary 
under the same name. 
