Latin, Cresol (Gen., Cresolis)

Eng., Cresol. A mixture of isomeric cresols obtained from coal-tar.

A colorless or straw-colored liquid turning yellowish brown on prolonged exposure to light.

Soluble in 50 parts of water, usually forming a cloudy solution.

Average Dose

1 minim (0.05 mil).

Official Preparation.

Liquor Cresolis Compositus

Eng., Compound Solution of Cresol. Alcohol, 30 mils; Cresol, 500 Gm.; Linseed Oil, 300 Gm.; Potassium Hydroxide, 80 Gm.; Water, to make 1000 Gm.

Miscible with water in all proportions. This was introduced into the U. S. P. to furnish a uniform and reliable preparation to replace the numerous more or less uncertain proprietaries.

Therapeutic Action

Disinfectant, germicide.

Uses

Employed as a cleansing solution and dressing after labor and for infected wounds, periostitis and other infective and suppurative conditions.

Administration

The compound solution or some of the similar proprietary products are employed. They are prescribed alone and used properly diluted with water (1: 20 to 1: 1000).

For local use after labor:

Sig

Use teaspoonful to quart of warm water as directed. (Poison-label.)

Nurse is instructed to pour over the vulva after urination, etc.

This prescription, with the exception that the water is used hot, is used for soaking the parts in some suppurating conditions, as of the feet in osteoperiostitis, etc.

Creta PraeParata

See Calcium, p. 106.