- Naphthalene is a hydrocarbon obtained by distillation from coal tar.
- It consists of colorless, transparent, lustrous scales or, when crystallized, of rhombic tables or prisms.
- Naphtin is an unproved remedy, though it has been used in old-school practice as an intestinal antiseptic and vermifuge, as an expectorant, as a remedy for eczemaItchy, inflamed skin conditionAn inflammatory skin rash causing dry, red, itchy, and sometimes cracking or blistered skin patches. and psoriasisSkin disease causing scaly red patchesA skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp., and as an antiseptic application to wounds.
- Naphtin is for the expulsion of thread worms after the bowels have been freely opened by a cathartic, given in doses of grains 1/4 to grains 1/2 four times a day for two days.
- The dose should not be given after a meal and all fats and oils should be abstained from during the treatment, which may be repeated once or twice after leaving a week’s interval.
- Affinity for the eyes.
- Detachment of the retina, deposits an exudationDischarge of fluid or pus from tissueThe process of fluid, cells, or other cellular substances slowly discharging from blood vessels or inflamed tissues. in the retina.
- Opacity of cornea, cataract, amblyopia.
- Long and continued attacks of coughing, unable to get a breath, sometimes so violent as to cause perspiration.
- Whooping cough