57 
If 
methyl ethy Ike tone 
c ,H, 
CH, 
> CO be used in the above process 
instead of acetone, diethylsulphonemethylethylmethane (Sulphonethyl- 
methanum, U. S. P.) is formed: 
gg. > CO + 2HSC 2 H 5 
Methvlethylke- Ethylmercap- 
tone tan 
_c 2 H 6 
"CH, 
> c< 
sc 2 h, 
sc:h 5 + 1 1.,( ) 
Methylethyldiethylmeroaptol 
Cjr 5 
CH, 
> C< 
sc,h 5 
sc 2 h 5 
+ 40 = 
C 2 H 6 
CH, 
> c< 
so 2 o 2 h 5 
so 2 c 2 h 6 
Diethylsulphonemethylethyl- 
methane 
The chemical name is abbreviated by the Pharmacopoeia to “Sul- 
phonethy] methane” which is commonly known as trional / the tri of 
the latter name indicates the presence of three ethyl (C 2 H 6 ) groups. If 
two ethyl groups are introduced in the place of the methyl groups, 
C 2 H- . n , so 2 c 2 h 5 , , . , 
> C <C so 2 c 2 h 5 18 what is commonly 
known as tetronal / the latter name indicates the presence of four ethyl 
groups. As a general rule, the introduction of ethyl groups into a 
compound increases the hypnotic action. 
Character. — Colorless, odorless, and nearly tasteless prismatic crys- 
tals, permanent in the air. 
Solubility.— Soluble in water (1:360) and in alcohol (1:47), much more 
so in boiling water (1:15) and boiling alcohol (1 :2). It melts at 125.5° C. 
A pure preparation is neutral to litmus and evolves no odor when 
boiled with water. 
Dose. — u Average dose: 1 Gm. (15 grains).” (U. S. P.) 
The German Pharmacopoeia tixes the maximum single dose at 2 Gm. ; 
the maxiin um daily dose at 4 Gm. Kast recommends that not more 
than 2 Gm. be given to a man nor more than 1 Gm. to a woman at a 
single dose, and that if the drug is used for any length of time the 
administration be frequently discontinued for from one to several days. 
The urine should be watched, and if there are indications of haemato- 
porphyrin the use of the drug should be discontinued. 
SYRUPUS HYPOPHOSPHITUM COMPOSITUS. 
Compound Syrup of Hypophospliites. 
the resulting compound 
Syrupus Hypophosphitum cum Ferro (U. S. P., 1890), is dropped, 
but this may take its place, as it contains iron (although in considerably 
smaller proportion). It contains 5 b^pophosphites, Hypophosphorous 
Acid, Quinine, and Strychnine. It is adopted (with slight changes) 
from the National Formulary and is similar to a number of well-known 
commercial articles. 
Bose. — “Average dose: 8 Cc. (2 fluidrachms).” (U. S. P.) 
