ACETANILID, ANTIPYRINE AND PHENACETIN 243 



three to five grains for a dog; and the dose of phenacetin is twice, and 

 of antipyrine three times greater than that of acetanilid. 



Uses External. — Acetanilid is employed as an antiseptic dusting 

 powder undiluted. A ten per cent, solution of antipyrine may be applied 

 as a hemostatic upon bleeding surfaces. 



Uses Internal. — There are three indications for the use of these 

 agents: 1. To lower temperature in fever. 2. To relieve pain. 3. To 

 lessen motor excitement and spasm. 



While these agents are used chiefly in human medicine to relieve 

 pain, especially of a neuralgic character, this kind of suffering is un- 

 common in veterinary practice and here acute rheumatism is the disease 

 chiefly amenable to their influence. In rheumatism the salicylates should 

 be employed with the antipyretics, as sodium salicylate in solution with 

 antipyrine. 



Phenacetin is the most serviceable for dogs, as it is less toxic, more 

 sedative, and more permanent in its antipyretic action than antipyrine or 

 acetanilid. Dogs suffering from distemper are greatly relieved by small 

 and repeated doses of phenacetin, which lessen fever, cough and rest- 

 lessness. In acute diseases, as pneumonia, influenza and laminitis, either 

 of the antipyretics may be employed in one or two doses when there is 

 hyperpyrexia. Doses of half an ounce of acetanilid 3 times a day for 

 horses have proved serviceable in acute laminitis. 



For horses in acute laminitis. 



Acetanilidi 3vi. 



Pulveris nucis vomicae giss. 



M. et divide in chartulas No. xii. 

 S. One powder on the feed t. i. d. 



Although animals do not seem to be so susceptible to the depressing 

 influence of the antipyretics yet it is well to combine them with strych- 

 nine. In experiments on mice. Worth Hale found the addition of caf- 

 feine to acetanilid increased its depressing action on the heart muscle, so 

 this common combination is inadvisable. Sodium bicarbonate lessens the 

 toxicity of acetanilid. Antipyretics are generally inadvisable in asthenic 

 febrile diseases, since they are too depressant in their action upon the 

 heart and have no effect in removing the cause of the disease. The hyper- 

 pyrexia of insolation may be treated with these agents, in combination 

 with cold, externally and per rectum. Motor disturbances, including con- 

 vulsions, «chorea and spasm, may be abated by the antipyretics, but 

 they are usually inferior to chloral, opium, or other antispasmodics. 



Phenacetin, combined with codeine or heroin, in powder or tablet, 

 is a useful remedy for cough in dogs. 



For dogs with fever and cough. 



Acetphenetidini 3iss. 



Codeina; sulphatis gr.vi- 



M. et divide in capsulas No. xii. 

 S. One capsule every 3 hours. 



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