ANTISEPTIC THERAPEUTICS. 
665 
antiseptic and an expectorant, by the skin promoting diaphor¬ 
esis ; by the kidneys inducing diuresis. The camphors, 
physiologically as well as chemically, are volatile oils. In the 
form of a fine powder or a solution they are quickly absorbed ; 
they stimulate the brain, spinal cord, heart and respiratory 
functions and are execreted by the skin and bronchial mem¬ 
brane, and also in smaller amount by the kidneys. They have 
considerable antiseptic power, Koch having found that one part 
to 2500 parts of water hindered the development of anthrax 
bacilli. 
The benzol benzene, or aromatic series of carbon com¬ 
pounds, includes a number of antiseptics and antipyretics, viz. : 
benzene, carbolic acid, creolin, salicylic acid, salol, antipyrin, 
antifebrin, phenacetin, etc. Creolin has been proved by bac¬ 
teriological tests to be more prompt and effective than carbolic 
acid in the destruction of the microbes of anthrax, fowl cholera, 
glanders, etc. Kaufmann states that as a bactericide it is. ten 
times as powerful as carbolic acid, and that a ten per cent, solu¬ 
tion does not irritate the skin, even when abraded, nor the 
mucous membrane. It is inhaled in ozsena, laryngitis, pharyn¬ 
gitis, strangles, bronchitis, gangrenous pneumonia and in pur¬ 
pura. In the form of an injection it is useful in the retention 
of placenta, metritis and purulent cystitis. 
The petroleums or paraffins are hydrocarbons produced by 
the decomposition of vegetable matter. They are obtained 
from the destructive distillation of coal, from the bituminous 
shales and from the oil wells found in various parts of the 
world. The petroleum distilling over between 300° and 
400° F. is chiefly nonane (C 9 H 30 ) and dodecane (C 3 H 26 ) 
and is used for lubricant purposes. 
At higher temperatures there come off hexadecane (C 16 
H 34 ) and other paraffins richer in carbon, constituting such 
soft solids as vaseline and the soft petroleums; while still 
higher temperatures produce the hard paraffins. The petro¬ 
leums belong physiologically to the fatty or alcohol series of 
hydrocarbons. The petroleum spirit and other paraffin oils, by 
