ACTION OP ACETANILID, ANTIPTRIN AND PHENACETIN 323 



in solution in alcoholic liquor. Acetanilid is to be preferred 

 for horses on account of its much greater cheapness.* The 

 average dose of acetanilid is one drachm for a horse, and 

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

 twice, and of antipyrin three times greater than that of 

 acetanilid. 



Uses External. — Acetanilid is employed as an antiseptic 

 dusting powder undiluted. A ten per cent, solution of anti- 

 pyrin may be applied as a haemostatic 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. 



They are not so valuable in veterinary practice as in 

 human medicine, since the lower animals rarely suffer from 

 neuralgic pain, which is the special variety of suffering 

 alleviated by these drugs. 



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

 toxic, more sedative, and more permanent in its antipyretic 

 action than antipyrin or acetanilid. Dogs suffering from 

 distemper are greatly relieved by small and repeated doses 

 of phenacetin, which lessen fever, cough and restlessness. 

 In acute diseases, as pneumonia, these antipyretics may be 

 occasionally employed to advantage whe-n the temperature 

 rises above 104° Far., and rem^iins there any length of time. 

 They 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 hyperpyrexia of insolation may be treated with these 

 agents, in combination with cold, externally and per rectum. 

 For the relief of pain their scope is limited in veterinary 

 practice to that of a rheumatic character. Motor distur- 

 bances, including convulsions, 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. 



* Phenacetin is now more desiraljle, as less depressant, since the patent on 

 it has expired. 



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