Naphthol - Naphthol

Description

This section is from the book "Dental Medicine. A Manual Of Dental Materia Medica And Therapeutics", by Ferdinand J. S. Gorgas. Also available from Amazon: Dental Medicine.

Naphthol - Naphthol

Formula

C10H8O=C10H9,OH.

Derivation

Naphthol is an alcohol derived from Naphthalene (C10H8), which is obtained from coal-tar in the form of white shining crystals of a strong, disagreeable odor, soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in water, and employed locally in indolent ulcers and as a disinfectant in pus-pockets and wounds and skin diseases. (See Naphthalene.)

Medical Properties And Therapeutic Uses

There are two forms of Naphthol, known as a and b Naphthol, the latter being employed medicinally on account of its less irritating and injurious action. It is in the form of light-brown crystals, soluble in hot water, and possessing antiseptic properties, and employed internally and locally in the form of ointment with vaselin dissolved in alcohol, ether or olive oil, in the proportion of two per cent. It is employed in parasitic diseases of the skin, and as a general antiseptic.

Hydronaphthol

The chemistry of this agent, which is supposed to be a form of b naphthol, is not well known. It is in the form of light fawn-colored crystalline flakes, having a feeble odor and taste. As a germicide, it apparently possesses the power of preventing the development of germs and their spores. It resembles capsicum. in possessing slight stimulating and counter-irritant properties, but is not so powerful.

Dental Uses

Hydronaphthol is employed for treating the canals of pulpless teeth, pericemental inflammation of septic origin, especially in the early stages before pus has formed. Dr. Jas. Truman recommends a solution of 1: 1000 of water for injection into pulp-canals; and Dr. E. C. Kirk recommends a paste of hydronaphthol and glycerine, pumped into a thoroughly cleansed pulp-canal in pericemental inflammation from septic causes, to remove the soreness and inflammation in a few hours; it should be retained by a temporary filling of gutta percha. It is also recommended as an ingredient for a mouth wash for diseased gums and mucous membrane.

Alpha-oxynaphthoic acid (or alpha-naphthol-carbonic acid) is prepared in a similar manner to salicylic acid, naphthol being substituted for phenol. Its formula is C10H6,Cooh. It is obtained by bringing together, under strong pressure, and at an elevated temperature, alpha-naphthol, sodium and carbonic acid gas. It is nearly insoluble in water, but soluble in the alkalies and alkaline carbonates, forming salts, which are colorless and of neutral reaction, and more soluble in hot and cold water than the acid itself. It is antiseptic and germicide, experiments upon bacteria giving favorable results.