CHINASEPTOL, EXALGIN, AND QUINOLINE 405 



chloride. It occurs in white deliquescent scales, very 

 soluble in water. Outside the body it dissolves uric acid 

 and insoluble urates ; but when administered its action 

 is exceedingly doubtful. A small part only is excreted 

 combined with the stronger acids rather than with uric 

 acid in the urine. The granular citrate is generally used. 

 Doses of five to fifteen grains in carbonated water, taken 

 twice daily, were stated to break up cystic concretions in 

 human patients, but this reputation has not been maintained, 



CHINASEPTOL, diaphthol, or ortho-oxy-quinolin-meta- 

 sulphonic acid, occurs in yellowish crystals, which are soluble 

 in water. Solutions of one or two per cent, are powerfully 

 antiseptic, but their use in surgery is restricted owing to 

 their effect on instruments. It is rapidly absorbed, as an 

 alkaline diaphtholate, from the intestine and excreted by 

 the kidneys disinfecting the urine and urinary passages. 

 Medicinal doses are free from toxic effects. Horses take 

 3j. to 3ij- >' dogs, grs. x. to grs. xxx., in bolus or electuary. 



EXALGIN (Methylacetanilide) occurs in nearly colourless 

 crystals, is odourless, almost tasteless, slightly soluble in 

 water and freely in alcohol. It is slightly antiseptic, dis- 

 tinctly antipyretic, and markedly analgesic. As an anti- 

 pyretic it resembles antifebrin ; it impairs perception of 

 painful impressions ; but large doses are dangerous, and 

 produce epileptiform convulsions, dyspnoea, stupor, and 

 death. Small, perfectly safe doses, such as one or two 

 grains in human patients, or half a grain in dogs, repeated 

 hourly, relieve neuralgic pain ; but for the pain of muscular 

 rheumatism it is not so effectual as salicylates. It does 

 not appear to produce any disagreeable secondary symptoms. 

 It has been used with benefit in epilepsy and chorea in man, 

 and may be serviceable in such cases in dogs. It is gener- 

 ally administered dissolved in weak spirit. 



QUINOLINE is an oily liquid produced fromglycerol, sulphuric 

 acid, aniline and nitro-benzene. It is related to cinchonine 

 and quinine, from which it may also be obtained. It is colour- 

 less or yellow, bitter and acrid, almost insoluble in water, 

 but soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and benzene. 

 Quinoline and its salts, tartrate and salicylate, are anti- 

 septic and antipyretic, but other drugs of this aromatic 



