Properties of Benzaldehyde. 



85 



48 (1423) 



On the anti-spasmodic and anesthetic properties of benzaldehyde. 

 By David I. Macht. 



[From the Pharmacological Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins 

 University, Baltimore, Md.\ 



In several publications appearing elsewhere the author has 

 described his investigations concerning the pharmacological 

 properties of some benzyl esters on the one hand, and of benzyl 

 alcohol on the other. 1 



Following these studies it was but logical to inquire into the 

 properties of benzaldehyde, a chemical substance closely related to 

 the above. Accordingly, experiments were instituted with the 

 object of determining whether benzaldehyde exhibits the anti- 

 spasmodic properties of benyzl benzoate on the one hand, and the 

 local anesthetic properties of phenmethylol or benzyl alcohol on 

 the other. 



Benzaldehyde is sufficiently soluble in water (0.2 per cent.) 

 to admit of experimentation on isolated tissues in vitro. Experi- 

 ments with solutions of benzaldehyde on various isolated smooth- 

 muscle organs were found to show that benzaldehyde relaxes the 

 tonus and inhibits the contractions of such organs. Experiments 

 with the drug on whole animals and observations of various organs 

 in situ revealed also a sedative effect. Perhaps the chief exception 

 to the rule was in case of blood pressure experiments. It was 

 found that the pressure did not fall after injections of benzaldehyde 

 solutions or suspensions except when large quantities were injected 

 intravenously. 



More interesting than the effect on smooth-muscle is the local 

 anesthetic action of benzaldehyde. Experiments with aqueous 

 solutions and more concentrated suspensions or emulsions of 

 benzaldehyde showed that that substance possesses definite and 

 marked local anesthetic properties. Thus it was found that it 

 anesthetizes the sensory nerve endings of the frog's skin, of the 



1 Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 1918, Vol. II, pp. 

 263, 389, 419. 



