I 
698 T. W. TURNER. 
other chemical compounds* a fact which is of considerable im¬ 
portance to bear in mind in dealing with mixtures of which it 
forms an ingredient. From the long list of drugs and prepara¬ 
tions found to be incompatible with antipyrine, the following 
are the most important: Tannic and hydrocynic acid, chloral, 
tincture, decoction and extract of cinchona bark, all iron salts 
in solution, bi-carbonate of soda, salicylate of soda, tinctures 
containing tannin, iron or quinine, and tincture of iodine. It 
may be mentioned that the latest observations as to the action 
of antipyrine have led to the expression of the opinion by sev¬ 
eral authorities that it has a marked, and in some instances, a 
dangerous action on the heart, producing lowering of blood 
c 
pressure, malaise and collapse. To the utterance of warnings 
to this effect must be ascribed the fact that antipyrine, which 
was almost used as a specific against influenza during the earli¬ 
er epidemics, was almost abandoned during the later ones. 
Against the copious perspirations which frequently accompany 
the action of antipyrine, either atropia or belladonna are given 
with advantage, either together with the remedy or shortly 
M 
before. 
Paraldehyde .—A product of the condensation of three mole¬ 
cules of ordinary ethyl aldehyde. Paraldehyde was introduced 
into medicine about 1884, as a hypnotic and sedative. Physio¬ 
logically it is characterized by the absence of action on the heart. 
It has a strong reducing effect upon the blood, like all the alde¬ 
hydes, and this influence precedes the narcotic action. Paral¬ 
dehyde was specially recommended as a substitute for chloral 
where this remedy was contraindicated or did not produce sat¬ 
isfactory results. It is a clear, colorless liquid, having a char¬ 
acteristic ethereal odor, and a burning and afterwards refriger¬ 
ant taste. Soluble in water 1 to 10. The dose for a horse is 
one to two fluid ounces. It may also be used subcutaneously, 
but there is seldom need to resort to this mode of administra¬ 
tion, as it is promptly absorbed from the stomach. 
Phenacetme .—A crystalline compound closely allied in chem¬ 
ical constitution to acetanilide and methacetine. It is prepared 
