(Salol, U. S. P., 1890.)

Origin. - The salicylic ether (C6H4(OH)COOC6H5 1:2) of phenyl prepared by heating salicylic acid with phenol in the presence of phosphorus pentachloride.

Description and Properties. - A white, crystalline powder, odorless, or having a faintly aromatic odor, and almost tasteless. Permanent in the air. Almost soluble in 2333 parts of water; soluble in 15 parts of alcohol at 25o C. (77o F.); also in 0.3 part of ether, and readily in chloroform and in fixed or volatile oils.

Dose. - 3-15 grains (0.19-1.0 Gm.), [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.) U. S. P.].

Physiological Action. - Externally and Locally. - It is a more powerful antiseptic than either of its constituents. Nencki claims that it is not a germicide, as it will not destroy bacteria when present, although it prevents their formatfon. It is not, like salicylic acid, irritating to the mucous membranes.

Internally. - It is converted by the pancreatic and intestinal juices into its original constituents - salicylic acid and carbolic acid. It is usually absorbed and eliminated very rapidly, having been detected in the urine in the form of salicyluric acid and phenol-ether-sulphuric acid within thirty minutes after its ingestion by the stomach. To the latter acid is due the dark, smoky color of the urine which sometimes exists under large or continued doses of salol.

The action of salol is essentially like that of its constituents, but it is a more powerful antipyretic, analgesic, and cerebrospinal sedative. It reduces temperature much more promptly, the antipyretic action occurring within fifteen minutes after a full medicinal dose has been taken. The effect, however, is not prolonged, repeated doses being required to maintain the reduction of temperature.

The circulation is, perhaps, not so much depressed as by salicylic acid. The respirations are at first quite rapidly increased, and are rendered very shallow, requiring some time to resume their normal condition. Large doses may cause phenol-poisoning.

Therapeutics. - Externally and Locally. - Salol is especially recommended as an antiseptic dressing for wounds, burns, venereal ulcers, and buboes. Powdered salol or an ointment - 1 part to 150 parts of petrolatum - has been used in cases of tubercular laryngitis and ozena. Like salicylic acid, it is also of value in eczema and sycosis simplex.

Internally. - It is an efficient remedy in all diseases benefited by the internal administration of salicylic acid. In addition to these services it is a valuable remedy in acute and chronic cystitis, gonorrhea, intestinal catarrh, especially duodenal catarrh and catarrhal jaundice, and to relieve the pains of neuritis and myalgia.

Administration. - It may be given in pills, capsules, powders, emulsion, or suspended in milk. The compressed tablets of this drug so extensively used at present are not to be recommended, owing to their slow and difficult solution.

Allied Compounds

The compounds of salicylic acid are extremely numerous. It is beyond the purpose of the present volume to mention them all, but the following have been employed widely and have something in their favor as remedial agents: Aspirin, or acetyl-salicy-lic acid, a white powder soluble in 100 parts of water, said to be more efficient than the salicylates, and to cause less gastric irritation. Dose, 5-15 grains (0.3-1 Gm.), thrice daily. Salacetol, resembling salol, an acetone radicle replacing the phenyl in that compound. Used for the same purposes in doses of 30-45 grains (2-5 Gm.). Salicylamid is tasteless, more soluble than salicylic acid, and more active. Dose, 2-5 grains (0.1 -0.3 Gm.). Salifebrin, acetanilid and salicylic acid; not reliable. Saligenin, a substitute for salicin in doses of 8-15 grains (0.5-1 Gm.). Salipyrine, antipyrine and salicylic acid, has the combined effects of its constituents, and is an efficient drug in doses of 15-30 grains (1-2 Gm.). Salophen, resembling salol somewhat, but phenol in different form, acetyl p-amidophenol. Dose, 12-30 grains (1-2 Gm.).

It should be recalled that practically all of these derivatives are decomposed to salicylic acid and to sodium salicylate.