SYMES ON THYMOL AND THYMOL-CAMPHOR.
Dr. Symes, in the Pharmaceutical Journal of January 10, publishes the results of his researches on the combination of thymol, chloral-hydrate, and camphor, acting as an antiseptic. The two former drugs are rubbed together in a mortar, and an equal quantity of camphor added, which liquefies the whole, and produces a powerful antiseptic. Its virtues were immediately tested on some urine containing pus, and which was already beginning to decompose. Two drops of the compound being added to it, the putrefaction was arrested. If thymol and camphor alone are rubbed together, they also become liquid, and this a convenient form from which to prepare the ointment. Thymol-camphor can be mixed in almost any proportion with vaseline, ung. petrolei, or ozokerine, and the thymol will not separate, as in crystals, when thymol alone is used. A solution of thymol in water (1 in 1000) is sufficiently strong for the spray in surgical operations. If used for the throat, milk and glacial acetic acid will be found to be good solvents for it.—London Medical Record.