J522 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



(probably in the corpora striata), and therefore diminish 

 heat production. Testimony is at variance in regard to 

 their action upon heat loss. They frequently induce diar- 

 phoresis, but it is generally accepted that- heat dissipation 

 in increased to a gTeater extent than would be accounted for 

 by sweating, and that it occurs even when diarphoresis does 

 not take place. Experimenters vehemently disagree as to 

 which preponderates — increased heat loss or lessened heat- 

 production — in causing antipyresis. 



Respiration. — The respiratory functions are unaffected 

 by therapeutic doses of these medicines. In lethal doses 

 respiration is quickened, owing to the greater work thrown 

 upon the respiratory centre by the altered condition of the 

 blood, and this vital centre is ultimately paralyzed. 



Kidneys. — The drugs under consideration produce slight 

 diuresis in moderate medicinal doses. In poisoning, the 

 urine may become dark-colored by the ha^matin escaping 

 from the disintegrated red blood corpuscles. Antipyrin 

 lessens the nitrogenous products of tissue waste in the urine, 

 and also diminishes the amount of that secretion. Acetanilid, 

 on the other hand, increases the excretion of urea. 



Elimination. — Antipyrin is rapidly eliminated im- 

 changed in the urine in some animals ; in others it is oxidized. 

 Acetanilid escapes in part unchanged and in part as different 

 oxidation products in different animals; while phenacetin is 

 chiefly eliminated as such and as glycuronate of phenetidine. 



Poisoning. — Toxic doses of these drugs cause, in the 

 lower animals, nervous excitement and convulsions, and 

 sometimes coma, loss of consciousness, staggering gait, muscu- 

 lar failure, sweating, rapid, feeble respiration, weak pulse, 

 cyanosis, occasional vomiting in dogs, fall of temperature 

 and general paralysis. 



Treatment. — External heat, alcoholic stimulants by the 

 mouth, rectum, or under the skin; strychnine, and atropine 

 subcutaneously. 



Adyninistration. — Aiatipyrin is given in solution by the 

 mouth, rectum' or under the skin. Acetanilid and phen- 

 acetin can be administered in powder, tablet, pill or ball ; or 



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