Latin, Creosotum (Gen., Creosoti)

Eng., Creosote. Synonym, Beechwood Creosote. A mixture of phenols and phenol derivatives, chiefly guaiacol and creosol, obtained during the distillation of wood-tar.

Form

An almost colorless liquid.

Odor And Taste

Penetrating odor and burning taste.

Solubility

In about 140 parts of water, but without forming a clear solution. Freely soluble in alcohol.

Incompatibles

Cupric, ferric and silver salts, acacia, albumin, and oxidizing agents.

Average Dose

4 minims (0.25 mil).

Official Preparations and Salt.

Aqua Creosoti

Eng., Creosote Water. Creosote, 10 mils; Distilled Water, 990 mils.

Average Dose

2 1/2 fluidrachms (10 mils).

Creosoti Carbonas (Gen., Creosoti Carbonatis)

Eng., Creosote Carbonate. Synonym, Creosotal. A mixture of the carbonates of various constituents of creosote, chiefly guaiacol and creosol.

Form

A thick, oily liquid.

Odor And Taste

Almost odorless and tasteless.

Solubility

Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol.

Average Dose

15 grains (1 Gm.).

Therapeutic Action

Antiseptic, germicide, expectorant, irritant.

Uses

Creosote is employed by mouth or inhalation in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, croup, etc. Locally it is used for toothache and for various skin diseases.

The carbonate is used by mouth in the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.

Administration

By Mouth.-Creosote is too powerful an irritant to be prescribed pure, but is frequently used in bland liquids, as emulsions, particularly the Emulsion of Codliver Oil and the Emulsion of Oil of Turpentine.

Prescribed alone, as in the treatment of tuberculosis:

Sig

Begin with four (4) drops as directed.

In the treatment of tuberculosis, bronchitis, etc.:

M. tere bene.

Sig

Tablespoonful after meals and at bedtime. (Shake-label.)

Or:

M. tere bene.

Sig

Tablespoonful after meals and at bedtime. (Shake-label.)

M. tere bene.

Sig

Tablespoonful after meals and at bedtime. (Shake-label.)

In the treatment of bronchitis:

M. ft. emul.

Sig

Teaspoonful with water every four hours.

In the treatment of tuberculosis:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in water or milk after meals.

In the treatment of tuberculosis:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in water or milk after meals.

Creosote Carbonate, being less irritating, may be administered alone in capsules.

Creosote is frequently employed as an inhalation, alone or with other agents. A common method is to arrange for a supply of aqueous vapor, as in the following:

As an inhalation in bronchitis, laryngitis, etc.

M.

Sig

Use teaspoonful to pitcher of hot water as directed.

Patient may be given instructions, as to use for fifteen minutes every three hours. Children are sometimes best treated during sleep by making a tent out of a newspaper.

Locally

Creosote is a constituent of many of the toothache remedies, or is used alone for that purpose.

1 Hughes: Practice of Medicine.

2 Musser and Kelly: Practical Treatment.

3 Ibid.