Thymol lowers arterial tension and reflex action, reduces the temperature, and may cause fatal coma. The nerve centres of the cord are paralyzed by large closes.
Poisoning by Thymol.—The poisonous properties of thymol have been demon strated by the experiments of B. Kiiss ner, who found that when given to dogs and rabbits by the stomach the poison acts very slowly and feebly, by reason of its slow absorption, but that when in jected into the circulation it produces death by respiratory paralysis. Coma is developed some time before death, and the blood-pressure, which at first was maintained, now falls steadily.
The treatment of poisoning by thymol consists in the use of emetics or the stomach-siphon to evacuate the stomach and the employment of respiratory stimulants.
Therapeutics.—Thymol has been used as an antiseptic, anthelmintic, and anti pyretic. The last use is condemned by II. C. Wcod and others on account of its poisonous properties. 1351z concludes that thymol is much less certain and more dangerous as an antipyretic than is salicylic acid.
Martime commends this drug as an antiseptic sedative in typhoid fever, in testinal catarrh, etc., 30 grains being ad ministered during the twenty-four hours. This use of thymol is indorsed by F. P. Henry, of Philadelphia. Gros commends it internally in diphtheria. Kussner has used thymol (3 to 5 minims of a 1-per cent. solution three times a day) with advantage in diabetes, vesical catarrh, and in infantile diarrhoea, and has found that inhalations (1 to 1000) diminish the fever and expectoration in phthisis.
Campi has used thymol with success as a tfeniacide. Five to 6 drachms of castor-oil are given at bed-time, and the next morning, beginning early, 10 grains of thymol are given every fifteen min utes for 12 doses, and 20 minutes after the last dose of thymol another dose of castor-oil. Sonsino, of Pisa, has had no
results from it as a twniacide, but has found it useful in cases of ascarides and especially Oxyuris vernzicularis, in which last case he administered it by enema.
Externally thymol has been used as an antiseptic dressing. It has been found to be an excellent application in eczema, psoriasis, pityriasis, and ringworm. A 2-per-cent. ointment is of service in acne and alopecia circumscripta. The addi tion of a small portion of alcohol facili tates the preparation of a 1 to 1000 watery solution, which is sufficiently strong and sometimes needs further dilu tion.
In leueorrhom a thymol solution has been found useful as an injection (1-3000 to 1-1000).
In catarrh of the upper air-passages C. C. Rice, of New York, recommends inhalations of the following:— 4 Menthol, Thymol, Carbolic acid, of each, 5 grains.
Oil of eucalyptus, 2 ounces.
Oil of pine-needles (pines Sylves tris), 3 ounces.—M.
A teaspoonful is added to boiling water and the steam inhaled, or 20 to 30 drops are placed upon a sponge or piece of cotton and held to the nose.
For use as a mouth-wash, a solution (1 per cent.) of thymol in glycerin may be employed. Thymol-soap (2 per cent.) is recommended as an antiseptic cleanser.
An infusion of thyme is of service in whooping-cough; it alleviates the spasms, and is said to shorten the dura tion of the disease.
Oil of thyme may be employed as an internal remedy in cases of collapse, in bronchial affections, catarrh, and colic; externally it is useful in pruritus, weep ing forms of eczema (to lessen the dis charge), and as a pleasant, fragrant anti septic for the bath.