ADEENALIK 63 g 



vaseline, eight parts; cerate, twelve parts. There is no 

 danger of absorption and genito-urinary inflammation from 

 the use of euphorbium, as with cantharides. 



. SECTION XVIIL— MEDICIXAL AGENTS OF 

 ANIMAL OEIGIN. 



GLANDULiE SuPEKENALES Sicc^. Dessicated Suprarenal 

 Glands. (U. S. P.) 



The dried glands of the sheep or ox free from fat and 

 powdered. 



DOSQ.—R., 3i. (4.); D., gr.iv. (.25). 



Adeenalin. ( Xon-ofEei al. ) * 



This is an active principle of the suprarenal glands, and 

 was discovered by Dr. Jokichi Takamine f and made public 

 in 1901. It is a light, white, microcrystalline substance, 

 slightly soluble in cold water, more so in hot. It has a 

 somewhat bitter taste and produces a benumbing of the 

 tongue. Adrenalin is permanent' in powder, but changes 

 color and is oxidized in aqueous solution. It is said to be 

 the active principle of the suprarenals, but non-toxic, which 

 can not be said of the glands or their extracts (and not of 

 adrenalin). Adrenalin is from 825 to 1,000 times more 

 powerful than the glands in its physiological effect. Solu- 

 tions may be boiled without impairing their therapeutic 

 activity. 



Action. — The most important action is exerted upon the 

 circulatory apparatus, which is comparable to that of digi- 

 talis but much more rapid and transient, lasting not more 

 than ten minute? when given intravenously. The drug 

 acts very uncertainly when given by the mouth — except 

 locally on the digestive tract — because of poor absorption. 

 The force of the heart is increased * but the rate decreased (by 



*Epinephrin is but another form of adrenalin — identical with it 

 physiologically but differing slightly from it chemically. 



t Therapeutic Gazette, April 15, 1901. 



i The secreting part of the adrenals is derived in embryo from the 

 sympathetic system. Its secretion (adi-enalin) ants in the body to 

 always and everywhere stimulate sympathetic nerve endings. By this 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



