ACTIONS AND USES 397 



receiving two drachms exhibited excitement, and subse- 

 quently paralysis of the central nervous centres, tetanic or 

 epileptic convulsions, cyanosis, muscular weakness, paralysis 

 beginning in the hind-quarters, with serious lowering of 

 temperature. Although elimination by the kidneys begins 

 within half an hour after administration, it is slowly ex- 

 creted. The urine of dogs receiving full doses, for several 

 days contained the drug, as evidenced by its being coloured 

 red-brown by ferric chloride solution. Frohner further 

 states that, although medicinal doses have little effect in 

 lowering the temperature of healthy animals, they reduce 

 abnormal temperature usually within half an hour, and 

 their effects continue two or more hours. Kaufmann 

 records that one gramme (15*4 grains) given hypodermically 

 reduced the temperature of dogs from 38- 9 to 38- 2 Cent., 

 of horses from 38' 7 to 38- 2 Cent., and of rabbits from 40 

 to 37 Cent. These antipyretic effects are ascribed to the 

 action of the drug on the heat-regulating centre in the 

 brain. In addition to the antipyretic effect there is 

 depression of the central nervous system, so that pain 

 is lessened and there is less reflex irritability. It pro- 

 duces its actions whether it is swallowed or introduced 

 subcutaneously or intratracheally, and seems to develop 

 no untoward effects. The antipyretics affect the red 

 corpuscles, causing shrinking, loss of haemoglobin, and 

 the conversion of the latter into methsemoglobin in the 

 plasma. 



It has been prescribed for the several domestic animals to 

 reduce fever and relieve pain. German veterinarians com- 

 mend it for influenza in horses, as well as muscular and 

 articular rheumatism ; but as an anti-rheumatic it is not as 

 effectual as the salicylates. In doses of four to six drachms, 

 it has been employed with marked benefit in acute laminitis. 

 Dogs are brought under its antipyretic action more effectu- 

 ally than cattle or horses, and it deserves to be more gener- 

 ally used in canine practice. French veterinarians prescribe 

 it as a carminative in irritable conditions of the central 

 nervous system, and as a general analgesic as well as a local 

 anaesthetic in neuralgic cases. A five per cent, solution is 

 frequently used to check capillary haemorrhage, and 



