alphol en · NOUN
Etymology
From alpha + -ol.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) A crystalline derivative of salicylic acid, used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic.
The therapeutic action of alphol is said to be similar to that of salol. Pancreatic and the intestinal juices decompose alphol into salicylic acid and alpha-naphthol. The new remedy is recommended as antiseptic, antineuralgic, and antirheumatic.
1897, David Cerna, Notes on the Newer Remedies, page 178: