470 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



asphyxia. The minimum fatal dose for a small dog is about 

 one drachm of sodium salicylate, subcutaneously. 



Administration. — Sodium salicylate contains 48 grains of 

 the acid to the drachm. Sodium salicylate is used in pre- 

 ference to the acid because it is soluble and unirritating. It 

 is given in solution, or to dogs in pills or tablets. Salicylic 

 acid may be exhibited in solution by warming it with glycerin 

 (gr.iv-3i.); or with syrup (1-5), and aquae ammonia in suffi- 

 cient quantity to dissolve it, thus forming ammonium salicy- 

 late. It may also be administered in pill or ball. Salol is 

 given in pill, powder or mixture with water. The larger 

 doses of salicylic acid and salicylates should not be repeated, 

 and are used for their antipyretic action. A maximum daily 

 dose of one ounce of salicylic acid or soclium salicylate, for 

 horses, or one drachm of either for large dogs, should rarely 

 be exceeded. 



Uses External. — Salicylic acid is employed in various 

 forms as an antiseptic. Aqueous solutions (1-300) may be 

 applied to wounds. Stronger solutions are prepared with 

 alcohol, borax, sodium bicarbonate, and ammonium acetate 

 solution. But as salicylates are formed in the (3) latter 

 combinations, the solutions are useless as antiseptics. Salicy- 

 lic acid may be applied as a dusting powder with zinc oxide 

 (1-8), or in ointment (1-20 or 30), for its stimulant and anti- 

 septic effect on wounds. It is used in the treatment of burns 

 with cottonseed oil (1-8). Salicylic acid is useful in powder 

 or ointment in acute moist eczema (1-50), and in the follow- 

 ing formula : 



Salicylic acid, one part ; zinc oxide, starch and vaseline, 

 each 16 parts. Ringer recommends in pruritus ani and 

 vulvae — salicylic acid, 3ii.; ol. theobrom., 3 v.; cetac, 3iii-; 

 ol. myrist, 3 i.ss. 



Antiseptic gauze is prepared by soaking the material in 

 hot, saturated, watery solutions of salicylic acid. Salol is 

 used as an antiseptic dusting powder of uncertain value. 



Uses Internal. — The salicylic acid group are specifics in 

 rheumatic fever. They lower temperature, lessen pain, and 



