Thermiol and Termites

THERMIOL, Thermiol, a 25% solution of sodium phenylpropiolate, C₆H₅C C-COONa. It was proposed for inhalation in tuberculosis of the larynx and lungs in the form of 0.5–3% solutions warmed to 45°, as an analogue of gethol (C₆H₅CH:CHCOONa). It is more toxic than gethol and less stable. TERMITES, incorrectly called white ants, belong to the order Isoptera, insects with incomplete metamorphosis. They are native to the tropics; in the USSR they are found in Central Asia and the Caucasus. They are "social" insects, i.e., they live in large colonies notable for the polymorphism of their constituent individuals. Termites construct complex dwellings, erecting an above-ground structure (the so-called termitaria) or, conversely, penetrating deep into the ground, extensively mining it with numerous passages. In each termite nest there is one female and one male; besides this pair of producers, the termite colony includes a multitude of wingless individuals—"workers" and "soldiers," which are underdeveloped males and females. The reproduction of termites is associated with the appearance of winged sexual forms. They leave the nest and swarm. Upon completion of the swarming, the males and females descend to the ground, whereupon their wings fall off. The male and female together begin to dig the earth, thus building a nest and founding a new colony (G. Jacobson). The polymorphism of the colony's individuals concerns their external and internal structure, as well as the role they play in the life of the colony. In the female, the abdomen swells to extraordinary proportions, and egg production becomes enormous (it is claimed that she can lay over 80,000 eggs per day); "soldiers" have a large quadrangular head and strong jaws; they protect the nest from attack; the head of the "workers" is small and rounded. "Workers" build the nest, dig passages, procure food, feed the larvae, ensure the survival of the female, and so on. In some termites there are so-called nasute soldiers, whose head is elongated in length; at its pointed end opens a gland that produces a sticky secretion of defensive significance. Termitaria are constructed above ground; in some species they reach a height of several meters. The termites of our fauna do not build above-ground structures, barring small mounds, but their passages go down several meters into the depths (up to 15; Dimo). In Central Asia, the following are found: the Turkestan termite (Hodotermos turkestanicus), the middle Transcaspian (H. vagans), the large Transcaspian (H. angerianus), the Murgab termite (H. murgabicus), and Beckman's termite (H. baeckmannianus). On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus lives Calotermes flavicollis, and in the region of Odessa—Leucotermes lucifugus. Termites feed on dead wood (in artifacts and in nature) and various plant products, e.g., they eat away straw mixed into clay during the construction of adobe buildings. They get into houses, destroy beams, rafters, furniture, spoil books, linen, dresses, and others. Their economic damage is great. Termites in Central Asia can affect the water factor due to the enormous absorption of water by the nest's passages in the soil if an irrigation canal is run through the nest. Through their soil activity, termites contribute to the formation of secondary solonchaks around termitaria. The control of termites is difficult. Wood intended for construction is impregnated with coal tar products (carbolineum), petroleum residues, and others. Carbolineum is used for coating wooden and brick parts of a structure. Zinc chloride is also suitable for impregnating wood, which, however, requires factory installation. To destroy termites that have penetrated a building, chloropicrin can be used.