566        Pharmaceutical  Notes  on  New  Compounds.  {Am^ovl'mi&rm' 
By  aseptol  we  understand  a  33J  per  cent,  solution  of  ortho- 
phenolsulphonic  acid.  It  is  almost  odorless,  but  faintly  suggests  car- 
bolic acid,  and  is  reported  to  possess  the  antiseptic  properties  of  this 
latter  antiseptic  and  of  salicylic  acid,  standing,  as  regards  strength, 
midway  between  them.  Its  superiority  lies  in  the  possession  of  anti- 
septic without  poisonous  or  irritating  properties,  so  that  it  is  especially 
adapted  for  abdominal  surgery  and  for  ophthalmological  operations. 
Sozolic  acid  is  readily  soluble  in  water,  alcohol  and  glycerin.  It  is 
applied  in  a  solution  of  3,  5  or  10  per  cent.,  to  which  strength  the 
stronger  solution  can  be  reduced  by  dilution  with  water. 
Betol,  salicylate  of /9  naphthol  ether,  C6H4OH.COO.C10H7. 
This  remedy  is  one  of  the  very  newest,  and  analogous  to  salol.  It 
is  applicable  therefore  in  all  those  cases  in  which  this  latter  is  found  to 
be  of  use,  viz.,  rheumatism,  cystitis,  etc.  The  dose  is  given  as  5  to  8 
grains  in  some  cases  of  intestinal  catarrh.  As  it  is  not  a  phenol  com- 
pound, betol  possesses  the  advantage  of  being  freer  from  detrimental 
properties  than  salol. 
It  forms  small,  white,  resplendent  crystals,  is  almost  devoid  of 
taste,  and  being  insoluble  in  water  is  best  dispensed  as  a  powder  or  in 
compressed  tablets,  or  in  pills  made  up  with  liquorice  juice  and  pow- 
der, each  containing  2J  grains  of  betol.  It  is  soluble  in  alcohol,  as 
also  in  fatty  oils,  and  is  therefore  well  adapted  for  being  worked  up 
with  butter  of  cacao  into  pencils  for  the  treatment  of  gonorrhoea. 
These  may  be  prepared  by  melting  four  parts  of  ol.  theobromse,  and 
adding  to  the  warm  liquid  one  part  of  betol.  This  readily  dissolves 
in  the  fat  and  the  mixture  is  allowed  to  partially  cool,  when  it  is 
poured  into  moulds.  The  finished  product  contains  of  course  20  per 
cent,  of  betol. 
The  melting  point  of  betol  is  203°. 
Hypnon,  acetophenon,  C6H5COCH3. 
By  means  of  3  to  8  grain  doses  of  this  very  powerful  soporific  a 
profounder  sleep  is  produced  than  that  caused  by  chloral  hydrate. 
Hypnon  possesses  an  agreeable  aroma  somewhat  resembling  a  mix- 
ture of  oil  of  bitter  almonds  and  neroli,  but  its  action  on  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  mouth  is  almost  caustic.  It  is  dispensed  therefore 
in  capsules  of  gelatin,  each  of  which  contains  1  grain  of  the  remedy 
combined  with  10  of  almond  oil  to  prevent  any  risk  of  unpleasant 
effects. 
It  is  a  colorless  fluid,  sparingly  soluble  in  water,  more  readily  so  in 
