When a medium dose (10 to 15 grains) is given, we notice a fall of temperature, from one to five or more degrees, at the time the temperature becomes very sub normal. This reduction of temperature is apparently not due to the diaphoresis induced, which is sometimes small in amount, but by its inhibitory action upon the heat-regulating centres in the nerv ous centres. This action is seen in health as well as in disease. With the reduction in temperature is noticed an increased action of the sweat-glands, perspiration being seen first about the forehead and neck, and later upon the chest and face.
Chilly sensations, which may be experi enced if the sweating is excessive, can be removed or prevented by the exhibition of stimulants: atropine or agaricin. Stim ulants will also prevent the depressing action upon the heart.
With the calorimeter of d'Arsonval heat-dissipation found to be decreased, there being a corresponding diminution in the process of heat-production. Des tree (Jour. de Med., de Chir., et de Pharm., July 20, 'SS).
The reduction of temperature produced by antipyrine is exclusively due to in crease of heat-dissipation, while the phenomenon of heat-production remains unaffected. Gottlieb (Arch. exper. Path. u. Pharm., vol. xxviii, H. 3, 4, '91).
Antipyrine produces a decided fall of temperature in the first hour after its administration in the fevered animal; this reduction is due to a great increase in heat-dissipation, together with a fall in the heat-production. Cerna and Car ter (Notes on New Remedies, Sept., '92).
The pulse is generally reduced in fre quency concurrently with the fall in temperature, but not in the same ratio, and sometimes not at all. The blood pressure is usually increased with the fall of temperature, but is occasionally reduced by reason of a dilatation of the peripheral blood-vessels. The heart-beat is generally reduced and the force of the systole is lessened, at least to some tent, and in this lies the great danger attached to its use: a contrary effect to that produced by quinine, which sus tains the heart.
In regard to the influence of the drug upon the secretion of urine, experiments have shown that the quantity is dimin ished in twenty-four hours; this is also the case as regards the amount of urea eliminated under its use.
Antipyrine in doses of 30 grains causes an increase in the number of leucocytes in the blood and a decrease in the quan tity of uric acid eliminated by the urine. J. Horbaczewski (Litzungs b. d. K. K. Wiener Akademie der Wissen., p. 101, '92).
Antipyrine, in doses of 30 grains, causes a diminution in the quantity of uric acid eliminated by the urine and an increase in the number of leueocytes in the blood; unlike quinine, it does not produce atrophic changes in the spleen.
J. Horbaczewski (Bull. du Comae Agric. du Dept. de l'Aube, T. C., Sec. 3, p. 101, '92).
Antipyrine Poisoning. — The use of antipyrine is not always void of danger. Very unpleasant, even dangerous and fatal results are on record. The dose does not always determine the effect produced, and it would seem that some persons are extremely susceptible to its toxic action. In addition to idiosyncrasy, a diseased condition of the brain, heart, or blood-vessels, and especially of the kidneys (organs eliminating antipyrine) seems to heighten the effects of the drug on the system, so much so as to interdict its use altogether.
Antipyrine is a dangerous drug. It ought to be scheduled as a poison, onli to be dispensed on a written order from a qualified medical practitioner. By com bining some preparation of ammonia with antipyrine, the latter drug can be prescribed with less fear of unpleasant sequelw. H. W. McCaully Hayes (Brit. Med. Jour., Feb. 1, '96).
The toxic effects of antipyrine when ingested are, in general, those of an irritant poison: abdominal pain, nau sea, heart-burn, and in some cases vom iting, intense colic, and diarrhoea. These effects may be avoided by rectal admin istration of the drug. In addition to these effects upon the gastro-intestinal tract, we notice a diminution of body heat, in some cases becoming subnormal, the skin becoming cold, cyanotic, and covered with a clammy perspiration, sometimes followed by unconsciousness, collapse, coma, convulsions, and even death. In rare cases an elevation of tem perature follows its use (paradoxical ac tion), possibly due to interference with renal function and the presence of urea or leur2omaines in the blood; several cases of this action have been reported. The administration of 15 grains has been followed, in several cases reported, by violent sneezing, a copious watery dis charge from the eyes and nose, constric tion about the throat, loss of voice, and dyspncea, with a sense of intense burn ing in the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, and throat and distressing tinnitus aurium. Vertigo attended by dyspncea, and a feeble, fluttering, and intermittent pulse are not infrequently observed. Disturb ance of the vasomotor system is observed in some cases. resulting in oedema (some times of the glottis, causing suffocation) of the extremities or face with a dimi nution in temperature and a tendency to cyanosis and collapse.