Supplement to a textbook of pharmacology, therapeutics and materia medica.

  • Brunton, T. Lauder (Thomas Lauder), 1844-1916.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Supplement to a textbook of pharmacology, therapeutics and materia medica. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    Remedies of the Aromatic Series. Sodii Benzoas / Phenazonum (antipyrine). Synthetically]Acetanilide (antifebrin). prepared. 1 Phenacetin. ^Glusidum (saccharin). * Next in number to the laxatives come bodies belonging to the aromatic series (p. 807). With the exception of benzoate of sodium, these are prepared synthetically, and three of them, phenazone (antipyrine), acetanilide (antifebrin), and phenacetin, are not only the most valuable antipyretics we possess, but they have an extraordinary power to relieve pain. They have thus to a considerable extent replaced quinine as antipyretics, and morphine as analgesics. Their introduction into the ‘Additions ’ goes far to justify the prediction which I ventured to make at p. 757, that organic compounds artificially prepared will ‘ in the future probably replace to a great extent, and perhaps entirely, the Vegetable Materia Medica.’ Sodii Beiizoas. Benzoate of Sodium. NaC7H502. Synonyms.—SodsB- Benzoas; Benzoate of Soda. This salt may be obtained by neutralising, benzoic acid with solution of carbonate of sodium and evaporating to dryness. Characters and Tests.—A white obscurely crystalline or amorphous powder, inodorous or having a faint benzoic odour, of a sweetish alkaline taste, and a faint alkaline reaction. Very soluble in water; soluble in twenty-four fluid parts of rectified spirit, and in twelve of boiling rectified spirit. An aqueous solution gives a yellowish or flesh-coloured precipitate when mixed with solution of persulphate of iron. Dose.—10 to 30 grains. Uses.—Sodium benzoate is an hepatic stimulant (p. 408), and being antiseptic (pp. 78 and 964) and at the same time very slightly poisonous may be used in a 5 or 10 per cent, solution as a spray for the purpose of destroying the disease germs and relieving the symptoms in tonsillitis, sore throat of scarlet fever, diphtheria, whooping-cough, and phthisis. It may be also given internally in these diseases. In rheumatic fever it lowers the temperature and lessens pain in much the same way as salicylate of sodium, and may also cause symptoms of intoxication, drowsiness, delirium, profuse sweating, and even collapse in large doses (24-4 drachms per diem). Its administration in ulcerative endocarditis is sometimes, though unfortunately not always, followed by marked improvement in the patient’s condition. It has been given in uraemia with good effect. The power of reducing temperature and relieving pain, which bodies belonging to the aromatic series of carbon compounds very generally possess, is well marked in salicylic acid and sali- cylate of sodium, which not only reduce temperature but relieve headache (p. 629) and the pains of rheumatism. Both properties