the use of the medicinal petroleum from the health resort of Naftalan for therapeutic purposes. The “native” petroleum and preparations made from it are used in medical practice. Naftalan treatment consists of general and sitz Naftalan baths (temperatures of 36°-38°C), bandages, irrigations, and local applications combined with electrotherapeutics and phototherapy. Naftalan treatment increases the general reactivity of the body and has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and desensitizing effect; it improves nourishment of the tissues. Naftalan treatment is indicated with diseases of the skeletal and muscular systems, skin, and nervous system and with gynecological disorders. Contraindications are the same as those for pelotherapy.