New preparation of guaiacol: the cacodylate. It is the result of the combination of cacodylic acid with guaiacol. Employed hypodermically in doses of to grain in tuberculosis. Barbary (Bull. Commer., xxviii, p. 35, 1900).
Physiological Action.—The physiolog ical action of guaiacol is similar to that of its congener, creasote, although its effects on the gastro-intestinal tract are not so irritating. The respiration and pulse are only temporarily affected. The blood-pressure is slightly increased, and there is slight contraction of the rioles. Large doses produce a burning sensation in the stomach, nausea, etc.: symptoms of gastro-intestinal irritation.
Guaiacol is excreted principally by the kidneys, as guaiaco-sulphuric ether, but also by the skin and the salivary glands, and in small measure by the lungs.
The effect produced by guaiacol is not • due to its action on the digestive organs. In combination with the blood guaiacol has no suet] action. The medicament is eliminated as a salt of ethyl-sulphuric a rid, and thus, when absorbed into the Mood, it must have combined with al buminous bodies, and chiefly through the sulphur present in the albumin molecule. In the blood of phthisical patients there are, in addition, other albuminous bodies, namely: the products of the growth of the bacilli. The ab sorbed guaiacol combines with these products and renders them harmless, and they are further changed by oxidation, the guaiacol being liberated as a salt of ethyl-sulphuric acid, and the other de composition products being eliminated in the urine. Hollscher and Seifert (Berliner klin. Woch., Jan. 1S, '92).
Guaiacol administered by the aliment ary tract is only partly absorbed. It is more readily absorbed in healthy than in sick persons. For its absorption it is sufficient to give it in daily doses of 7 grains. Administered in such doses, it does not cause nausea, and is well borne by patients. Guaiacol is not eliminated as such by the urine, but in the form of a body giving the reaction of phenol. Poggi (Itiforma Medica, Aug. 10, '92).
Guaiacol acts by influencing the pe ripheral ends of nerves, and, through them, the thermogenic centre, on its ap plication to the skin. The presence of
guaiacol in the urine is attributed to the absorption of the vapors through the respiratory organs. The influence of guaiacol is chiefly seen in febrile condi tions. Guinard (Bull. Gan. de Then, Oct. 30, '93).
After painting the skin with 31 grains of guaiacol, elimination by the kidney is manifested in a quarter of an hour; the proportion in the urine is greatest in from one and a half to four hours after and reaches 50 grains per quart. It de creases rapidly in six or seven hours, and in twenty-four hours there is no further trace in the urine. It is necessary in external application of the drug to cover the painted surface with an imperme able layer of taffeta. Linossier and Lannois (La Mod. Moderne, Feb. 7, '94).
Pure guaiacol passes rapidly into the urine, while after the application of a mixture with glycerin it appears much more slowly. Almond-oiI interferes much less with absorption than glycerin. Sfourbe (Lyon Mad., July 15, '94).
Poisoning of Guaiacol.—A case of poisoning, in a child 9 years of age, has been reported by Wyss, in which drachms were accidently taken. In a short time she became unconscious and cyanotic. The conjunctiva became jected, the corneal reflexes diminished, and the pupil contracted and inactive. Vomiting (ejecta had odor of guaiacol) and profuse salivation were present. The pulse became rapid and weak and the breathing irregular. Cutaneous sibility was diminished. Later on blood and bile-stained mucous were vomited. The urine was dark colored, of an aro matic odor, and contained bile-pigments and a small amount of albumin. The cyanosis gradually diminished and was followed by a deadly pallor. The respira tions became frequent. Jaundice ap peared and the patient died on the third day. The autopsy revealed an acute gastro-enteritis and parenchymatous de generation of the liver and heart-muscle, acute hmmorrhagic nephritis, enlarged spleen, and ecchymosis in the pleura, peritoneum, endocardium, and pericar dium. Several cases of death have been reported following the hypodermic ad ministration of guaiacol, the patients dying within an hour in profound coma with every symptom of cardiac paralysis.