Aid.  Jour.  Pharm.  1 
Feb.,  1882.  / 
Resorcin  and  its  Allies. 
81 
Its  antipyretic  action  renders  it  valuable  in  all  febrile  diseases ;  and  in 
Germany  it  has  been  freely  and  extensively  administered  in  typhus  and 
typhoid,  in  acute  rheumatism,  pneumonia,  erysipelas,  and  phthisis. 
The  fall  of  temperature,  however,  is  usually  of  briefer  duration  than 
after  the  administration  of  quinine  or  salicylic  acid.  It  is  sometimes 
used  as  an  injection  in  gonorrhoea  and  gleet,  and  in  vaginitis  and 
cystitis.  Andeer  considers  that  it  is  of  inestimable  value  in  all  affec- 
tions of  the  stomach,  and  especially  recommends  its  administration  in 
gastric  ulcer,  from  its  peculiar  action  on  mucous  membranes,  which 
heal  without  the  formation  of  a  cicatrix  after  cauterization  with 
resorcin.  The  usual  dose  for  an  adult  is  from  15  to  20  grains,  three 
or  four  times  a  day,  but  larger  quantities  are  often  given.  It  may  be 
taken  in  the  form  of  a  mixture  dissolved  in  water,  and  flavored  with  a 
little  glycerin  and  syrup  of  oranges.  It  is  sometimes  given  in  powder 
in  a  wafer  or  empty  capsule.  In  the  case  of  an  overdose,  emetics  with 
olive  oil,  and  a  hypodermic  injection  of  atropia,  would  be  the  appro- 
priate remedies. 
Hydrochinon,  another  member  of  this  group,  possesses  even  more 
decided  antipyretic  properties  than  resorcin,  3  grains  reducing  the 
temperature  very  quickly,  without  the  production  of  any  unpleasant 
symptoms.  It  can  be  used  hypodermically,  as  it  is  quite  free  from 
caustic  properties,  and  produces  no  more  irritation  than  so  much  water. 
It  is  recommended  that  10  per  cent,  solution  should  be  employed,  and 
that  5  or  10  minims  should  be  injected  into  each  arm. 
■  Chinoline  is  another,  although  a  somewhat  more  distant,  relative  of 
resorcin,  whose  properties  have  recently  been  investigated  by  Dr.  Julius 
Donath  of  Baja,  in  Hungary.  Its  formula  is  CgHyN,  it  being  the  first 
of  a  homologous  series  of  eight  similarly  constituted  alkaloids,  each 
member  of  which  differs  from  its  predecessor  by  the  addition  of  CII2. 
It  is  a  transparent,  colorless,  oily  fluid,  having  a  penetrating  odor 
resembling  bitter  almonds,  and  a  hot,  pungent  taste  like  peppermint. 
It  is  but  sparingly  soluble  in  cold  water,  but  dissolves  more  freely  in 
hot.  It  mixes  in  all  proportions  with  alcohol  and  ether,  and  is  a  sol- 
vent for  sulphur,  arsenious  acid,  and  camphor.  It  is  manufactured 
on  a  large  scale  from  coal-tar,  chinoline  and  aniline  being  found 
almost  without  other  admixture  in  the  last  portions  of  the  distillate 
known  as  "  dead  oil.''  It  is  an  energetic  bacteria  poison,  a  one-fifth 
per  cent,  solution  arresting  fermentation  in  Bucholz's  fluid.  In  the 
same  proportion  it  prevents  lactic  acid  fermentation,  although  it  exerts 
6 
