ARISTOL. — Aristol (di-thymol-di-io dide, annidalin), one of the most valu able of the newer antiseptics, occurs in crystals of a light-reddish-brown color, without odor.
It is insoluble in water, slightly solu ble in alcohol, and freely soluble in ether and fats. It contains 45.8 per cent. of iodine. It is incompatible with acids, ammonia, corrosive sublimate, metal ox ides, alkalies, and carbonates. Heat and light have a deleterious effect upon it.
Dose and Physiological Action. Aristol is almost exclusively used as an external medicament, but may be given internally in maximum daily doses of 6 grains in cachets.
It may be used externally in the pow dered form, and in 10-per-cent. solutions in ether or oils, and in the form of an ointment (10 per cent.). The strength of these preparations may be varied from 5 to 20 per cent.
Wax and lanolin are the best vehicles for an aristol ointment. If glycerole of starch is used the aristol undergoes par tial decomposition with the formation of free iodine. With vaselin there was no decomposition, but the ointment was not very homogeneous. With benzoinated lard there was also a feeble liberation of iodine. With wax and with lanolin no iodine was set free, and the ointment was perfectly homogeneous. These sub stances are, therefore, best fitted to be used as vehicles for aristol ointment. Fageardie (Jour. de MEd., Dec. 20, '96).
Aristol adheres very readily to the skin, and, therefore, makes an excellent dusting-powder. It is non-irritant to the unbroken skin, but when applied to the mucous membrane it promotes secre tion. It is not absorbed either through raw surfaces or mucous membranes, and is therefore free from toxic effect.
When dusted upon wounds or ulcer ated surfaces when abundant secretion is present, it serves to dry up the tions and maintain cleanliness of the dressings.
If the surfaces under treatment be rendered aseptic in the beginning aristol will preserve asepsis.
It was found impossible to destroy cultures of the various cocci and bacilli by the application of aristol alone. If, however, a 10-per-cent. ethereal solution was used and the ether allowed to evap orate, aristol seemed to encapsule the germs and thus hinder their growth. A. Neisser (Berliner klin. Woch., May 12, '90).
Report of twenty-two cases of super ficial wounds in which aristol appeared to change septic into aseptic processes. Pollak (Ther. Monat., Dee., '90).
Its germicidal action is very limited, and its effects on bacteria are negative. Stern (Fortschritte der Med., No. 19, '91). It not only diminishes suppuration, but favors rapid cicatrization.
As a eicatrizant and resolvent, aristol is as inoffensive as it is prompt in its action. Seuvre (Union Med. du Nord est, Feb., '91).
It may be used instead of iodoform, possessing the advantages over that agent of being non-odorless and non toxic. When given internally it pro duces no untoward symptoms.
In doses of 37 grains per kilo weight of guinea-pigs and dogs there was no toxic action discernible. Quinquaud and Fournioux (La Tribune Med., July 2, '90).
It seems to be eliminated by the urine as an alkaline iodide and, probably, also, as thymol.
Therapeutics.—Aristol is, perhaps, the most popular of the newer drugs by reason of the rapid establishment of its therapeutic uses and the advantages it possesses over others of its class.
Being non-toxic and odorless, it en joys the distinction of displacing, in very many conditions, the older drug,—iodo form.