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Tous laa autraa axamplairaa originaux aont filmia an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Un daa aymbolaa suivants apparaftra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la cas: la symbols — »> signifia "A SUIVRE", la aymbola ▼ signifia "FIN". Laa cartaa, planchas, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmte A daa taux da reduction diff*rants. Lorsqua la documant ast trop grand pour Atra raproduit an un saul clich*, 11 aat film* * partir da I'angla sup*riaur gaucha, da gaucha * droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nonibra d'imagas n*caaaaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la m*thoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ac [REPRINT FROM "THE CANADIAN PRACTITIONER," iORONTO, NOVEMBER, 1884.] T/ie Actio7is and Uses of Naphthalin. By JAMES STEWART, M.D., L.R.O.S. & P. Edin., Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, McGill College, Montreal. Read at the Montreal Meeting of the Canada Medical Association, August, ]8S4. ^t. 1 \ 1 \ 'I THE Actions and Uses of NapMklin. NAPHTHALIN is one of the « t recent additions to the already large group of antiseptic agents. It is one of the products of the distillation of coal. When pure it occurs in large, white, glossy crystals. It is, however? often sold in an amorphous condition, and having a greyish colour. In this impure condition its antiseptic quali- ties appear to be little, if at all inferior to those possessed by the purest specimens ; but as it often causes considerable irritation, it is well to employ the agent in its resublimed state. The odor of naphthalin is very pene- trating, but not disagreeable. ACTIONS. I. On Micro-Organisms. — It is one of the raost powerful agents that we possess in pre- venting the decomposition of organic fluids. Urine can be preserved for an almost indefinite length of time by the addition to it of even a small quantity. I was able to preserve eight ounces for three weeks by the addition of twenty grains. There is no fluid more prone to undergo decomposition than the serum of milk when it is exposed to a warm atmosphere ; if, however, the atmosphere if saturated with naphthalin, no micro-organisms will develop in the fluid. If fresh pus taken from a recently-opened abscess be exposed to the air for a day or two, it teems with an innumerable number of bacteria and micrococci ; but the addition of naphthalin, ev,en in minute quantities, will prevent for weeks the formation of these micro- organisms. An infusion of pancreas is probably more difficu t to keep from undergoing decomposition . than any other fluid. From an extensive series of experiments, Fischer, of Strasbourg has shown that naphthalin is even more efficacious than iodoform in effecting this. Vegetable and animal parasites of all kinds are quickly killed by naphthalin. II. On Man and the Higher Animals. — Animals compelled to breathe an atmosphere saturated with naphthalin for twenty-four hours are not visibly affected in any way. Even when a strong ointment is well rubbed into the skin of the whole body of a dog the animal does not present any symptoms whatever. I When applied to the unbroken human skin it does not cause any irritation. When applied to a wound it seldom causes more than a sensa- tion of slight and transient pricking. At times, however, it causes a sensation of decided smarting. When applied to a wound in a state of putrefaction, it is surprising how soon it renders it antiseptic ; even woun Is of con- siderable depth are soon made sweet. Its application to a wound does not prevent free discharge. We know little or nothing about its internal actions or uses, and what, if any, changes it suffers in the organism. It will no doubt prove a remedy of great value in cases of putrefactive gastric and in- testinal catarrh. That it is absorbed into the blood is proven by its being not uncommon to find the urine dark coloured after its free application to a wound, not unlike the colour produced by the local use of carbolic and salicylic acids. In the case of both the latter agents the change in the urine is of some significance, as being the commencement, at least when well marked, of a train of untrward effects; lut in the case of naphthalin, although the urine becomes dark, it is a sign of no significance. It does not indicate any danger. 6 USKS. It is my intention hrre only to speak of ita uses in the treatment of wounds and ulcer?. From a very considerable experience of its u^e as an antiseptic, I have been led to consider that in a certain class of cases it pos esses advantages over all other antiseptic a,,^ent3 at present in use. These cases are septic chronic ulcers and septic burns, which show no tendency to heal. The first case where I had the opportunity of testing its antiseptic properties was in a burn of the forearm, in a middle-aged woman, received ei.fjhteen months previously. The left forearm was the seat of two extensive and deep-seated ulcers, both in a septic condition. Naphthalin was applied to one, and iodoform to the other. Of the two ulcers, the one in the worse condition was purposely treated with the naphthalin. In the course of a week both sores showed signs of improvement, which soon became rapid ; and in the case of the one treated by naphthalin complete, while the iodoform-treated one failed to make any advance efter a time. When the dressing was chansed to naphthalin the cicaterization rapidly ad- vaaced. It is unnecessary to describe very similar results obtained in a number of other cases of slowly healing ulcers as the result of burns and in chronic indolent ulcers. I I In all, nine casas have been tnated, aid in all the results were good. For the treatment of the class of cases described, naphthalin is certainly superior to iodoform. Both agents appear to act ecjually well up to the time that the tissues becoii e antiseptic, but afterwards their action is dif- ferent. Iodoform, after this stage in tlie treat- ment is reached, appears frequently to do more harm than good ; it mnkes the granulations flabby. Naphthalin, on the other hand, on account of its stimulating propei ties, promotes the healing of antiseptic wounds. If, in the treatment of an ulcer, all that is required is an antiseptic action, then Vioth agents act equally well ; but if, in addition to an antiseptic action, a slightly stimulating one is required, which is frequently the case in ulcers in broken-down people, then naphthalin is to be preferred. Naphthalin possesses another importint ad- vantage over iodoform, in its being a much cheaper agent. Compared with carbolic acid, it is just ns powerful, and probably less irritating. It is free from grave untoward effects. It, however, in common with iodoform, posscFSPS the prpat disadvantage of being insoluble in vrater, and therefore useless for spiny and inigation pur poses. MODE OP APPLICATION. ,* Naphchalin can te applied either finely powdered or in the form of a gauze. In treating cases of putrid ulcers, it is advisable to use it in the form of finely divided powder ; and after the sore has become anti- septic, all that, is necessary to do is to keep a few layers of the gauze applied until the healing process is completed.