HEXAMETHYLENAMINE 357 



of great frothing. This quantity of formalin and potassium permanganate, 

 is suitable for the disinfection of 1000 cu. ft. of space, if the air is 

 moist and warm, but if cold and dry this amount will disinfect only half 

 as much space. 



A solidified formaldehyde is also on the market to which one need 

 only add hot water, to free the gas. In veterinary disinfection one may 

 spray formalin in five per cent, solution with a force pump all over the 

 floors, walls, fixtures, etc. 



Rubber gloves should be used to protect the hands. 

 Formalin, in 1/4 to 2 per cent, solution, has been used for surgical 

 purposes, but, when used in such strength upon raw surfaces and mucous 

 membranes it produces pain and irritation and coagulates albumin so as 

 to shut off the underlying parts from participating in the antiseptic 

 action. These stronger solutions, although formerly employed for surgi- 

 cal uses, should be confined to skin disinfection or where an escharotic, 

 action is desired on sloughing tissues. Ordinarily the strength of an 

 aqueous solution should not exceed 1-2000, or at most 1-1000, for appli- 

 cation to raw surfaces or mucous membranes, and even in this dilution 

 applications sometimes produce considerable pain and irritation and, for 

 this reason, are contraindicated for ordinary surgical use. 



Success is reported from the use of formalin on sloughing surfaces 

 of malignant growths and foul ulcers. A 4 per cent, solution is in- 

 creased to 10 per cent, and finally to pure formalin, the solutions being 

 applied on cotton saturated with the drug and retained on the part for 

 thirty minutes each day. In 1-500 formalin is useful in grease heel 

 applied on absorbent cotton and covered with bandage. A 5 . per cent, 

 solution of formalin is serviceable for sterilizing catheters, instruments 

 and sutures, for the preservation of pathological specimens, for the dis- 

 infection of stables, and in the treatment of canker of the feet in horses. 



PREPARATIONS. 



Hexamethylenamina. Hexamethylenamine. Co (CH2)6 N^. (U. S. P.) 



(Urotropin, Urotropin.) Hexamine, B. P 

 Urotropin occurs in colorless, lustrous, odorless crystals, or as a white, crys- 

 talline powder, soluble in 1.5 parts of water and in 12 parts of alcohol; of a 

 sweet, afterward bitter taste, and slight alkaline reaction. It is made by com- 

 bining solutions of ammonia and formaldehyde, and was first introduced into 

 medicine by Nicolaier in 189S. Urotropin appears to be decomposed somewhat 

 in the kidneys, but chiefly in the bladder in the presence of an acid urine, with 

 the liberation of formaldehyde, and thus disinfects the urinary tract. It is, in ■ 

 fact, considered the best urinary antiseptic in human medicine and has been used 

 with the greatest success in the treatment of all infectious diseases of the urinary 

 passages, especially acute and chronic pyelitis and cystitis. It tends to render 

 normal a putrid urine containing pus. This action is of value in similar diseases 

 of animals, especially of dogs. The liberation of formaldehyde is favored by an 

 acid urine and with an alkaline urine some agent, as acid sodium phosphate 

 (D. gr.x. t. i. d.) or benzoic acid, should also be given. The sodium phosphate is 

 incompatible with urotropin and so they should not be given at the same time.. 

 Urotropin is not an antiseptic in the body unless it is decomposed and sets free 

 formaldehyde in sufficient amount. Thus sometimes the urine (after ten grains 

 t. i. d.) in man contains as much as 1 to 5000 formaldehyde, which is distinctly' 

 of antiseptic strength. Urotropin is also eliminated, in the bile, pancreatic 

 juice, synovia, cerebro-spinal fluid, and in the saliva and milk of dogs. Also in 

 middle ear mucus (Crowe). For this reason the drug has been employed to 



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