Chemical and medical researches on kreosote : its preparation, properties, and use / by E. Miguet ; translated from the French by William Wetherill.

  • Miguet, E.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Chemical and medical researches on kreosote : its preparation, properties, and use / by E. Miguet ; translated from the French by William Wetherill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The aqueous solution of this substance does not change the co- lour either of tournsol, or curcuma, and is not neutralized either by acids or alkalies. It forms, however, a number of interesting com- binations with these two classes of bodies. Nitric acid attacks Kreosote actively, and a disengagement of red vapours takes place. It combines with chlorine, bromine, iodine, phosphorus, and sul- phur. Potassium thrown into Kreosote is dissolved; there then takes place a disengagement of gas, and potash is formed, which remains combined with thickened Kreosote. This substance can be separated without any alteration by distillation. Concentrated sulphuric acid, in small quantity, colours Kreosote red; a larger quantity blackens and thickens it: the sulphuric acid is decom- posed and the sulphur left free. Of all acids, the acetic has the strongest affinity for Kreosote; it seems to be its proper solvent, and combines with it in every pro- portion. This substance forms cold with potash two combinations: one is an anhydrous liquid, of an oily consistence; the other, a hydrate, which crystalizes in pearly white spangles. Even carbonic acid separates Kreosote from these combinations without alteration; its action is the same with soda. It has a great affinity for lime and the hydrate of barytes, and gives with these bodies compounds of a dingy white colour, soluble in water, and when in a dry state, may be made into powder of a pale rose colour. Ammonia dissolves it cold; this alkali generally accompanies it, and gives some trouble in its separation. It dissolves a vast number of salts, some hot, others cold. Alcohol, aether, carbonate of sulphur, eupione, acetic aether, combine in every proportion with Kreosote. Of all organic substances, the resins, the resinous colouring prin- ciples, and other like bodies, are most actively attacked by Kreo- sote. It decomposes them even cold, as well as dissolves them totally. It forms cold a solution of a yellow red colour with cochi- neal, a deep red with dragon's blood, yellow with madder, yellow with saffron. Placed in contact with indigo, it dissolves cold, the colouring matter which is precipitated by the addition of water and of alcohol. It now remains for me to mention other properties of Kreosote of the highest interest, because it is on these that rest all its therapeu- tic importance. Kreosote agitated with the white of an egg, coagulates it imme- 2