844 
F. S. ALLEN. 
3d. Respiration .—Acetanilid given in small doses is said to 
have no action upon the respiration, but in large poisonous doses 
it at once produces a more rapid breathing, which soon becomes 
labored. Death is said to result from these large doses, by 
paralysis of the respiratory centres, and the primary causes are 
the alteration in the blood, the want of oxygenation of the tissues, 
and at the same time the depressing action of the drug itself. 
Baker asserts that the drug also paralyzes the peripheral motor 
nerves. 
4th. Temperature .—On the temperature Dr. Hare claims 
that the drug acts, when given in full medicinal doses, to lower 
the normal temperature, or fails to produce any change. In 
poisonous doses it produces a decrease in temperature depending 
•on the amount employed, and may produce collapse and rigors. 
On fevers he claims that it acts as a powerful and fairly con¬ 
stant antipyretic, lowering the fever by decreasing heat produc¬ 
tion, and increasing heat dissipation, heat production being the 
function most affected. 
The Kidneys .—As to its action upon the kidneys, there is 
much dispute, but it is agreed that the excretion of urine is in¬ 
creased, and from excessive doses the urine becomes dark, it is 
said, from broken down blood-coloring matter. 
Elimination takes place through the kidneys, as para-phenol- 
sulphate. As an antiseptic it is slightly so when used freely. I 
have used it but little, preferring to use others that are better, 
as iodoform, etc. 
Toxic changes from prolonged use are claimed to occur, such 
as congestion of the liver, kidneys and spleen, and from poison¬ 
ous doses it is said clots may be found in the cardiac cavity, and 
a progressive decrease in the red blood corpuscles. 
Therapeutical Actions .—In the use of the drug much depends 
upon the condition of the animal and the disease from which it 
suffers. Although a powerful antipyretic, in some diseases it 
has apparently little or no action or influence upon the temper¬ 
ature, the duration or general course of the disease. In some 
cases I have known the temperature to continue to rise, when 
