A. C. E. MIXTURE. Sec CHLORO FORM.
ACETANILID.—Acetanilid (formerly known under the name of antifebrin) is a white crystalline powder obtained by the action of glacial acetic acid upon ani line. It is odorless and gives rise to a slight burning sensation when applied to the tongue. It is but slightly soluble in water, but completely so in alcohol and ether.
Acetanilid is not soluble, but is readily suspended in syrupy mixtures, so that it can be combined with ammonia in any of its forms, salicylic acid, nux vomica. digitalis, codeine, creasote, potassium bromide, or indeed almost any drug, and a prescription obtained that can be much more accurately adapted to the case in hand than any of the ready-made com binations. The foundation of most of the coal-tar product combinations is acetani lid, which has been combined with bi carbonate of soda, caffeine, carbonate of ammonia, etc. The combination may be chemical or mechanical, it matters little which, as it is practically broken up in the body into the acetanilid radicals and the other constituents. It is much more professional and scientific to write for the mixture than to be slaves to a propri etary combination. Perhaps the most generally useful combination of acetan ilid when used as an analgesic is the migraine tablet. This is the equivalent of several of the most widely-used secret mixtures that are sold under a specific name. It consists of 2 grains of acetan ilid and grain each of caffeine citrate and monobromate of camphor. A useful combination that can be prescribed in capsule is acetanilid and quinine, 1 grain of the former and 2 of the latter. This makes a good adjuvant to other treat ment in cases of coryza. In rheumatic conditions, and those in which there is a, suspicion of intestinal fermentation, acetanilid and salol make a good com bination in capsule. For disturbances of circulation and neuroses attending the menopause, 2 grains of acetanilid and 15 grains of bromide of sodium are efficient when combined in a drachm of simple elixir. When repeated sufficiently often
in this form, it acts as an efficient hyp notic. Acetanilid is a useful addition to mixtures for the relief of acute indi gestion attended by flatulence and great distress immediately after meals. As a substitute for iodoform and a host of antiseptic dusting-powders, acetanilid has been found most efficacious. especially when combined with boric acid. L. F. Bishop (Med. News, June 10. '99).
Dose and Physiological Action.—When the drug was first placed on the market, some years ago, the doses administered were excessive. The normal dose in the healthy adult should not exceed 7 grains; 4 grains represent the proper quantity to be administered at a time.
To give antifebrin in doses of 5 and even 10 grains, still more to repeat these after a short interval, is a highly-inju dicious procedure. Such doses are ex cessive. being equivalent to about 25 and 50 grains of antipyrine. This fact of its greater strength has been overlooked.
Therapeutic Committee, British Med.
Assoc. (Brit. Med. Jour., Jan. 13, '94).
For children the dose should be small, but it need not be reduced to quite the proportion observed for most drugs.
The action of acetanilid upon the heart may become pronounced unexpect edly; its effects should therefore be closely watched in children and weakly Case of collapse occurring after a dose of 3 grains. The same dose had been given eight times in the four preceding days without evil result; possible in stance of cumulative action. hronecker Monats., Sept., 'SS).
Fatal case, in a child, from the admin istration of 3 */, grains every two hours during the day. By evening the child was cyanosed and in fatal collapse. Editorial (Provincial Med. Jour., Mar. 1, '59).
Case of a young woman who took 4-grain doses of the drug at frequent intervals, until, in three days, 45 grains had been taken. On the third day the patient suddenly fell from her chair, un conscious and cyanosed.