TANNOFORM 393 



TANNOPORM 



Tannoform (Merck) or Methyl-ditannin (C 29 H 20 18 ) is 

 a condensation product of tannic acid and formaldehyde, 

 obtained by adding formol to an aqueous solution of tannin, 

 and precipitating with hydrochloric acid. It occurs as a 

 pale, rose-coloured, almost tasteless powder, odourless, 

 insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, and in dilute 

 caustic potash or soda, and in ammonia. It readily mixes 

 with cold milk or cold water, but with hot liquids it forms 

 tough masses. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Tannoform combines the astrin- 

 gent properties of tannic acid with the antiseptic effects of 

 formaldehyde, and therefore it is astringent, desiccant, 

 deodorant, and antiseptic. 



Administered by the mouth, it is unaffected by the 

 gastric juice and passes through the stomach unaltered. 

 In the alkaline medium of the intestine it is split up into 

 its components, and acts as an astringent antiseptic. In 

 the treatment of diarrhoea, gastro-intestinal catarrh, and 

 mycotic enteritis of foals, calves and dogs, Schaefer, Foth, 

 Schiinoff, and other veterinarians, report most favourably 

 of its value. Foals, less than a month old, suffering from 

 intestinal catarrh with profuse discharge, have been suc- 

 cessfully treated with doses of 45 to 60 grains of tanno- 

 form, administered in cold linseed gruel, or milk. For 

 diarrhoea or scour in calves it has been recommended as 

 a specific, in doses of 15 to 45 grains, with ^th grain of 

 calomel, made into a paste or linctus with honey or treacle. 

 It does not cause gastric disturbance or loss of appetite, 

 and is harmless and well borne even when given in large 

 doses. Satisfactory results have followed the administra- 

 tion of tannoform in the treatment of dogs affected with 

 necrosing gastritis or so-called ' Stuttgart disease.' 



Externally tannoform is largely used alone, or mixed with 

 boric acid, starch, or alum, as a dry dressing for wounds, 

 burns, harness galls, cracked heels, thrush, canker of horses' 

 feet, and wounds of the claws of cattle. For superficial 

 wounds healing under a scab, Frohner strongly recommends 

 tannoform as a substitute for the more expensive iodoform. 



