This section is from the book "Recent Materia Medica: Notes On Their Origin And Therapeutics", by F. Harwood Lescher. Also available from Amazon: Recent materia medica.
A distillate of coal tar. In brilliant white crystalline plates, with tarry odour, and pungent taste. Volatile; scarcely soluble in water, but soluble in hot alcohol, and warm fatty oils: melts at 176° C.
Therapeutics. It is a stimulant antiseptic, and destroys low animal and vegetable organisms. Internally, dose 3 grains cautiously increased, in an emulsion; principally used on wounds and open ulcers, either powdered or 15 % in lard or oil.
Facilitates expectoration especially in old people, in doses of 3 grains in syrup every quarter of an hour. Preserves specimens of natural history from insects.
Given in 3 grain doses with benefit in fetid urine, causing disappearance of microcci. - E. H. Fenwick, Lancet, September 24th, 1887.
For diarrhoea and typhoid fever, in doses of 2 to 8 grains, as a powder: add a drop of oil of berganot: as
Naphthalin............... 30 grains.
Sacch. Alb................ 30 grains.
Oil Bergam............ ... 1 grain.
Make a powder: divide into 10 doses, one to be taken three times a day. - H. Helbing.
 
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