A substance obtained from coal-tar oil by fractional distillation and subsequent purification.

Characters. - In colourless acicular crystals, which at a temperature of 95° F. become an oily liquid, having a strong odour and taste resembling those of creasote, which it also resembles in many of its characters and properties. Its specific gravity is 1.065; boiling-point, 370° F.

Solubility. - The crystals readily absorb moisture on exposure to the air, and they are thus liquefied; the acid, however, is soluble in water to the extent of only 5 per cent., but it is freely soluble in alcohol, ether, and glycerin.

Reactions. - It does not redden blue litmus-paper. A slip of deal dipped into it, and afterwards into hydrochloric acid, and then allowed to dry in the air, acquires a greenish-blue colour. It coagulates albumen. It does not affect the plane of polarisation of a ray of polarised light.

Dose. - 1 to 3 grains.

Preparations. B.P.

Acidum Carbolicum Liquefactum...........................about 90 per cent.

Glycerinum Acidi Carbolici. Glycerine of Carbolic acid

(Carbolic acid 1, Glycerine 4 by measure)....................1 part in 6 by weight.

Suppositoria Acidi Carbolici cum Sapone. Carbolic

Acid Suppositories. Carbolic acid, 1 gr.; curd soap, 15 gr.; starch, q.s. to give consistence. Unguentum Acidi Carbolici (Carbolic Acid, 1; soft paraffin, 12; hard paraffin, 6).

U.S.P

Unguentum Acidi Carbolici (with ointment 1 in 10).