Case of inoperable cancer in which, as a local application, the remedy proved very beneficial. The hmmorrhage was greatly reduced — almost stopped—and the superficial ulceration healed to a great extent. A 3-per-cent. solution of methyl-blue in equal parts of alcohol and water was used, an application being made every other day, swabbing it over the entire diseased area. II. R. Coston Gaz., Apr. 15, 1900).
METHYLENE-BLUE.—Methylene blue is one of the aniline dyes, a di phenylamin compound resulting from the action of sulphide of hydrogen and chloride of iron upon a solution of methylparaphenylenediamin. It occurs as a fine powder resembling iron filings. A solution of methylene-blue cannot be distinguished from a solution of blue, or methyl-violet (pyoklania), with out great care, and toxic effects have been observed as a result of errors in prescribing the one drug for the other, the dose of pyoktanin being smaller. Administration and Dose.—The dose of methylene-blue is 1 to 3 grains.
Three cases of poisoning by what was supposed to be methylene-blue. In one of these the patient took the first dose at 2 p.m., and at 5.30 P.M. he had a distressing attack of vomiting. Patient was advised to continue his medicine. Five days later the patient reported that he could not retain it, and that it caused much purg ing. An investigation was made and it 1VOLS found that the chemist had gotten a fresh supply of aniline, and that the 11CNV stock Ile had purchased was Merck's methyl-blue (pyoktanin), and not methy lene blue. Methylene-blue is an entirely different preparation from methyl-blue, or pyoktanin. IIarrington (Canadian Pract., July, '97).
Test to distinguish methylene-blue from methyl-blue (pyoktanin). The meniscus on the surface of a. solution of methylene-blue in a test-tube, or a thin film of such a solution, has a greenish instead of blue color, while that of methyl-blue is blue under all circum stances. Another test may be made by adding sodium hydroxide to the blue so lution, when methyl-blue becomes of a purplish-red, resembling port-wine dregs, while methylene-blue turns a deep-violet color. A. C. Smith, U. S. M.-H. S., quoted by S. T. Armstrong (Foster's "Pract. Thera.").
The changes in tissues and organs of healthy animals under the influence of medicinal doses of methylene-blue pro hibit its use in patients in the (lose usually recommended and for the time during which it is usually administered, as evidenced by the vomiting, diarrhcea, and blue urine so frequently observed.
M. P. Michailow (St. Petersburger med. Woch., No. 23, '99).
Physiological Action.—In guinea-pigs a toxic dose of methylene-blue is lowed, according to Combemale, by ruarked increase of the reflexes and of respiratory movements, ending in cular paralysis and death. At the ne cropsy there is found a chocolate coloration of the blood, caused by a de structive action upon the red puscles, flaccidity of the heart, pulmo nary atelectasis, engorgement of the liver with blue discoloration of the biliary ducts, and of the gastric and intestinal !uncoils membrane. T. Lauder Flrunton and S. Delepine subsequently observed that the drug sometimes caused a great accumulation of iron in the liver.
Ehrlich and Leppinann having ex pressed the view that the analgesic prop erties of methylene-blue depended upon an elective affinity for the cylinder axis of the nerve-endings, Combeinale argued that the freedom of pain was 11.N 111!1 tine tO the altered COMittiOn of •.t.t nottd. Still, all that can be Airrined is that the drug shows two main z tt properties: it is capable of acting ns ..11 irritant and it can produce seda of the motor and sensory nerves.
nt experiments on frogs and rab tits Miklinfloti have shown that the km, ivtts did not fix the methylene-blue within a short time before death, and then very rarely. Healthy proto ph‘sin was not colored by methylene-blue. At the autopsy of the animals experi mentLd upon for a period of three weeks thcre had been found in all the visceral cavities a liquid colored blue; all the or-ans were also colored; the blood was m(thaquoglobinized, and the result had been a loss of oxygen, which had caused deg.eneration of the parenchyma and had favored thrombosis.
Alethylene-blue can be detected in the saliva forty minutes after its introduction by the mouth, and in one hour and fifteen n.inutes after its administration by the rectum. lemanski and Alain (Le Bull. Aled., Jan. 29, '93).