Naphthalan

NAFTHALAN (Unguentum Naphtalani), an ointment of dark brown color (in a thin layer - dark brown color), very viscous, similar in consistency to lanolin, with a weak asphalt smell, obtained from a special oil, the deposit of which is the Naftalan area in Azerbaijan, 19 km south of the Gerany station of the Transcaucasian Railway. Since time immemorial, in summer, a large number of patients, mostly with skin diseases and rheumatic ailments, have gathered in Naftalan to bathe in pits filled with Naftalan oil. The therapeutic effect of Naftalan oil attracted the attention of individual entrepreneurs, and the German engineer Eger drilled 13 shallow wells (120-150 m) manually in Naftalan, built a small factory there, where he began to manufacture ointment from Naftalan oil and released it in the 1890s under the name of the joint-stock company "Naftalan". Before the war, Naftalan ointment was quite widely used not only in the country but also abroad. With the beginning of the imperialist war, the German firm "Naftalan" was closed, and the factory for the production of Naftalan ointment was destroyed during the civil war. At present, the Naftalan oil fields have been restored. In 1929, a small bathhouse building was constructed there, and from 1931, the production of Naftalan ointment was resumed. Naftalan oil is a low-mobility liquid, black-brown in color, sometimes with a greenish tint and weak opalescence, with a weak smell. Specific gravity 0.953-0.962; flash point 140-147°. It dissolves completely in chloroform, benzene, ether, and petroleum ether; partially in rectified spirit (95°); the dissolved part gives an acidic reaction (naphthenic acids). Ash content 0.02-0.1%. Sulfur content 0.027-0.19%. The microflora of Naftalan oil differs from the microflora of other oils. Distillation of Naftalan oil containing 2% water gave the following results: fraction up to 200° (1.69%) - easily mobile light brown oil; from 200° to 300° (49.10%) - fraction with specific gravity 0.893, dark brown-red color; from 300° to 375° (32.38%) - fraction with specific gravity 0.953, dark brown color, in a thin layer - dark brown color. In the residue - pitch (14.39%). At temperatures above 240°, it distills with decomposition. When distilled under vacuum (with residual pressure of 80 mm) at 200°, a fraction (25%) is obtained with specific gravity 0.904, light brown color, weak asphalt smell. In the residue - a thick, difficult to pour mass, dark brown with a brown tint, almost odorless, specific weight 0.9417. Naftalan ointment is prepared by heating purified Naftalan oil to 200° with freshly prepared completely neutral stearin soap (manufactured at one of the "Azkhim" factories). N. is mixed with 2 volumes of water. The resulting emulsion with water is brown and stable. The reaction of the ointment is neutral; specific gravity 0.92-0.94; melting point, more accurately the dropping point, 118-125°. Such a high melting point (due to the presence of up to 5% soap in Naftalan ointment) does not prevent the ointment from being extremely easy to apply. It applies well to the skin and does not run. Naftalan ointment dissolves in the same solvents as Naftalan oil. It is preserved for years without decomposition. Naftalan ointment, in molten form, dissolves camphor, creosote and other medicinal substances. Literature on N. concerns almost exclusively the therapeutic effect of Naftalan ointment. The exception is the work of Dr. Ismail-Zade, who observed patients treated with Naftalan oil in Naftalan under resort conditions. Naftalan ointment gives good results in the treatment of acute and chronic eczema, although there are also indications of the inconsistency of its action in these cases. Due to the ability of Naftalan ointment to calm skin itching, it is successfully used for pruritus, prurigo and urticaria. A keratoplastic and especially anti-inflammatory effect of Naftalan ointment is noted. Excellent results are obtained when using Naftalan ointment for first and second degree burns. Meshchersky draws attention to the fact that Naftalan ointment has a certain disinfecting effect on pus microbes, as it causes drying of staphylococcal and streptococcal pustules and does not cause irritation phenomena. A hot adherent of Naftalan ointment is M. Chlenov, who used it for many years and points to the extremely favorable results he achieved. Naftalan ointment can serve as a good base for ointments of any composition. In Pharm. Zeitung (1899, No. 673), 65 prescription formulas with Naftalan ointment were published, proposed by Pashkis (Paschkis) (ointments, pastes, plasters, powders, "mixtures" etc.), where to Naftalan ointment are added: zinc oxide, talc, water, Burrow's solution, camphor etc. Among these prescription formulas there are emulsions with Naftalan ointment and pills for internal use. Ismail-Zade indicates positive results in the treatment of N. diseases of a rheumatic nature and even nephritis.