ACTION AND USES OF SALICYLIC ACID, ETC. 471 



by shortening the attack lessen the danger of cardiac com- 

 plications. Sodium salicylate should be given every three 

 hours in doses of 3 ii. to horses, and gr.x.-xx. to dogs. But 

 this form of rheumatism is rare in veterinary practice, and 

 salicylic acid is unfortunately not nearly so valuable in the 

 treatment of other varieties. Salicylates are probably worth- 

 less in chronic rheumatic arthritis where the local applica- 

 tion of heat, stimulating liniments and blisters are service- 

 able ; but they may be used with benefit in acute muscular 

 rheumatism, sciatica, and rheumatic complications of influ- 

 enza in horses. Salicylic acid, salicin, and salicylates are 

 not comparable with the cold tar products as general 

 antipyretics, and are useless in hyperpyrexia. Sodium sali- 

 cylate is sometimes prescribed in gastric fermentative 

 dyspepsia when the salicylic acid, set free by the hydro- 

 chloric acid of the gastric juice, acts as an antiseptic. Salol 

 is a good intestinal antiseptic in diarrhoea and intestinal 

 indigestion, particularly when combined with bismuth sub- 

 nitrate in powder or aqueous mixture for dogs. Salol is 

 undissolved in the stomach, is less irritating than either 

 salicylic acid or sodium salicylate, and is prescribed to 

 lessen pain and fever. It may be advantageously given in 

 doses of gr.v. to dogs, with phenacetin gr.v., and codeine 

 gr.J, for painful rheumatism. It is probably inferior to 

 sodium salicylate, but can be conveniently administered in 

 powder as just noted. Salol is also a local anaesthetic and 

 antiseptic in the urinary tract (carbolic acid from decomposi- 

 tion), and is useful in cystitis and urethritis, to alleviate 

 pain, to prevent frequent micturition, and to render the 

 urine aseptic. Repeated large doses are likely to cause 

 carbolic acid poisoning. Salicin acts more slowly than 

 salicylic acid or sodium salicylate, and is not in general 

 use. 



Oleum Gaultheri^. Oil of Gaultheria. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Oil of checkerberry, oil of wintergreen, oil 

 of boxberry. 



