Latin, Betanaphthol (Gen., Betanaphtholis)

Eng., Betanaph-thol. Synonym, Naphthol. A Phenol occurring in coal-tar, but usually prepared from naphthalene.

Form

Colorless or pale buff-colored crystals or powder.

Odor And Taste

Faint, phenol-like odor and slight pungent taste.

Solubility

In 1000 parts of water and 0.8 part alcohol.

Incompatibles

Antipyrine, camphor, exalgine, ferric chloride, menthol, phenol, potassium permanganate, urethane.

Average Dose

4 grains (0.25 Gm.).

Therapeutic Action

Antiseptic, irritant.

Uses

Sometimes used internally for diarrhea, intestinal indigestion, flatulent dyspepsia, typhoid fever, etc. Externally, it is used for various skin diseases, as scabies, ringworms, seborrhea and kindred disorders.

Administration

Internally.-It is sometimes used as a salt, particularly Bismuth Betanaphthol.

In the treatment of diarrhea of typhoid fever:

M. ft. cap. no. xxiv.

Sig

One every three hours.

Externally it is extensively used by the dermatologist. The following will illustrate some combinations:

In the treatment of seborrhea:

M.

Sig

Apply twice daily.

1 Anders: Practice of Medicine.

2 Ohmann-Dumesnil: Diseases of the Skin.

In the treatment of seborrhea:

M.

Sig

Apply twice daily.

In the treatment of scabies:

M.

Sig

Apply as directed.

Used in the treatment of grain-itch:

M.

Sig

Apply as directed.

In the treatment of ringworm of the scalp:

M.

Sig

Apply as directed.