AMENORREHEA.—In amenorrhcea not associated with anwmia, the administra tion of 10 grains of guaiac, stirred in milk, before breakfast, will give good results if continued for some weeks. Painful menstruation may be relieved by the ammoniated tincture in doses of to 1 drachm every two or three hours.
GUAIACOL—Guaiacol (monomethyl catechol, methyl-ether of pyrocatechin; methylpyrocatechin) is a highly-refract ive, colorless, oily liquid, having a char acteristic aromatic, agreeable odor, and is obtained by fractional distillation from beech-wood creasote. It may also be ob tained by the dry distillation of iacum, or produced synthetically by the action of methyl-sulphuric acid upon pyrocatechin. It is freely soluble in hol, ether, and carbon disulphide, and in S5 (Helbing) or 200 (Merck) parts of water. It also occurs in colorless crys tals, which are freely soluble in glycerin, alcohol, ether, and slightly soluble in water. It forms salts with the acids; the carbonate and salicylate is a white, sipid crystalline substance, with the odor of salol, and soluble in alcohol.
Iodognaiacol is best prepared by add ing 62 grains of iodine to 7, drachms of guaiacol and applying a gentle heat. After the iodine is dissolved, 50 ounces of pure olive-oil are added. W. H. Gregg (N. Y. Med. Jonr., Nov. 21, '91).
Attention called to a new pulmonary antiseptic, which is obtained from guaia eol by the action of caustic soda; the sodated guaiacol thus formed being afterward precipitated by a watery so lution of sodated iodine, a guaiacol bi iodide is obtained. The new drug occurs as a brownish-red powder, soluble in alcohol and in the oils. Vicario (Revue inter. de Bibliographic, Mar. 25, '92).
Although gnaiacol has hitherto been described as a liquid. the pure synthetic product is a solid body, crystallizing in colorless prisms, which melt at 53.3° F., boiling taking place at 369° F. It is readily dissolved in pure, undiluted glyc erin, the solubility in water being only 1 to 50. Liebreich (Ther. Monats., May, '93).
Crystals of pure guaiacol are white and hard. When melted, the guaiacol remains in fusion for an indefinite time. It is soluble in most of the organic solvents, even in benzin; it is also sol uble in petroleum-ether, and crystallizes very well on the evaporation of this solvent. Anhydrous glycerin dissolves
crystalline guaiacol in large proportions. Gilbert and Morat (L'Union Mod., p. 753, '93).
Absolutely-pure, crystalline gnaiacol has little taste or smell. It can be ob tained in an absolutely-pure condition from a commercial sample by cooling with a mixture of ice and salt, and then separating the crystals which have formed. S. Winghoffer (Pharm. Zeit., No. 34, '94).
Preparations and Doses. — Guaiacol (liquid), 2 minims, gradually increased to 16 minims.
Guaiacol (solid), 12 grains, gradually increased to 15 grains.
Guaiacol-carbonate, 3 to S grains, in creased to 90 grains.
Guaiacol-cinnate (styracol), 5 grains.
Guaiacol-salicylate (guaiacol-salol), 15 grains; maximum daily dose, 150 grains.
Guaiacol-benzoate (benzoyl-guaiacol; benzosol), 3 to 12 grains.
Guaiacol-biniodide, 2 grains, increased to 15 grains.
New preparation of guaiacol: guaia mar, a reaction product of guaiacol and anhydrous glycerin. In typhoid fever the general symptoms were less severe than in those cases in which it was not given, systematic cold bathing being employed in both series. An ointment of guaiamar with lanolin lessens the joint suffering, of rheumatism. It pos sesses marked stomachic properties, stim ulating, the appetite and digestion. But ler (N. Y. Med. Jour., Sept. 23, '99).
New guaiacol preparation: the diethyl glycocoll-guaiacol. This is an easily soluble salt which lacks the undesirable properties of creasote and its derivatives. This salt is non-poisonous and non-irri tating in moderate concentration. In its antiseptic powers it equals boric acid and is also slightly anmsthetie. Forty-five to ISO grains daily may be safely taken. It is of value in pulmonary tuberculosis and in tuberculous diarrlucas, and lo cally in o.zna ; sarcomatous, carcinom atous, and syphilitic ulcers; stomatitis; chronic conjunctivitis; empyema al veolaris; and as irrigations in pyloric stenosis and bladder inflammation. A. Einhorn (Miinchener med. Woch., Jan. 2, 1900).