RESOBCIN 399 



with antipyrine, antifebrin is more energetic and lasting in 

 its effects. Given in large doses it depresses the heart, 

 alters the colour of the blood to a brownish red, and to some 

 extent reduces the haemoglobin to methaemoglobin. Ac- 

 cording to Lepine antifebrin exerts a destructive action on 

 the red corpuscles. Elimination of the drug by the kidneys 

 occurs within twenty-four hours of its administration, and 

 frequent large doses darken the urine and increase the 

 excretion of urea and uric acid. The diuretic action of 

 antifebrin suggests its employment in haemoglobinuria. 

 Frohner and other German authorities testify to its 

 febrifuge effects both in horses and dogs, and prescribe 

 it in febrile cases, cramps, neuralgia, and rheumatism. 

 Ordinary doses have no appreciable action on tempera- 

 ture in health, but rapidly lower the temperature in 

 fevers, pneumonia, and influenza, probably by diminish- 

 ing the production of heat and by increasing heat 

 dispersion. For relieving pain acetanilide is less useful 

 than opium, or cocaine, and as an antiseptic it cannot 

 be recommended. 



The doses for horses and cattle are 3ij- to 3J V - 5 sheep, 

 grs. xxx. to 3J. ; dogs, grs. ii. to x. ; cats, gr. 1J to grs. iv., 

 given in powder, pill, syrup, or electuary, or in water con- 

 taining alcohol, three times daily, in critical cases every 

 third hour. 



RESORCIN or metadihydroxybenzene, resorcinol (U.S.A.), 

 a product of the distillation of galbanum, ammoniacum, 

 asafcetida, or extract of Brazil wood, with caustic alkalies, 

 is usually obtained from benzene or phenol. It occurs in 

 colourless, crystalline plates, which become pink on exposure 

 to the air. It has a harsh, sweet taste, and is freely soluble 

 in water, alcohol, and oils. It coagulates albumin, and a 

 one per cent, solution is an effectual antiseptic. Concen- 

 trated solutions irritate the skin and mucous surfaces, but 

 it is not so irritant as its analogues, carbolic acid and 

 creosote, while, like them, it has a slight topical, anaesthetic 

 effect. Lethal doses, given to dogs and rabbits, cause 

 clonic convulsions, dyspnoea, and paralysis. Much less 

 toxic than phenol, it is eliminated in the urine. Its anti- 

 pyretic action is of short duration, and it hats a dangerous 



