Guaiacol recommended as a local anal gesic. Applied to burns in solution, 10 per cent., in olive-oil, it causes a disap pearance of the pain. It has been used with absolute success in the extraction of teeth. Antesthesia is less rapidly pro duced than with cocaine, being complete only after seven or eight minutes; on the other hand, however, it appears to be much more durable. Anxsthesia is induced even in inflamed tissue. Lucas Championniere (Le Bull. Med., July 31, Guaiacol-oil is made by purifying olive oil with chloride of zinc, then washing with alcohol and maintaining for some time at 100 degrees. The solution to be used is 20 per cent.
The method of procedure for the nose and throat is to apply the solution sev eral times to the affected part by means of a piece of cotton-wool impregnated with the oil, and for the ear it is advised to instil 5 or 6 drops of tepid guaiacol oil. after practicing a preliminary injec tion of tepid water, followed by the ap plication of "phenosalyl." After instilling the drops, a plug of cotton-wool is in serted to absorb the redundant liquid. The anxsthesia takes longer to obtain with this agent than with cocaine, and no retraction of the tissues occurs.
Guaiacol-oil is equal to cocaine in its analgesic properties, while the danger of the shocks is absent. Laurens (Ann. Mal. de ]'Oreille, Jan., '96).
Guaiacol recommended as a substitute when cocaine is contra-indicated. Used 36 times in the nose, pharynx, and larynx, and on the average obtains antes thesia in 10 minutes. The following so lution recommended: To olive-oil add 10 per cent. of dry zinc sulphate; heat over a water-bath one hour and add 12 V, per cent. absolute alcohol; shake several times during twenty-tour hours; deeant and add 5 per cent. guaiacol. W.
G. (Internat. Med. Mag., June, Guaiacol used advantageously in treat ing painful cases of orchitis and epididy mitis. In one of the cases one applica tion of guaiacol gave immediate relief, and after three applications all pain and tenderness had gone, only a slight swell ing remaining. William Nuse (Boll. Cleveland Gen. Hosp., I, p. 25. 1900).
- Guaiacol dissolved in alcohol or oil has been employed as an application in this disease. Twenty or 30 drops may be painted over the infected area and slightly beyond. The pain is promptly relieved and the temperature lowered by this method of medication.
GUARANA.—Guarana is a dried paste, consisting chiefly of the crushed or pounded seeds of Paullinia cupana (Paullinia sorbilis): a climbing plant in the eastern part of South America, and especially in Brazil. It contains an .alkaloid, guaranine, which is identical with caffeine, and theine. Guarana is slightly soluble in water as well as in alcohol.
Preparations and Doses.—Guarana, to 2 drachms.
Extract of guarana, fluid, to 2 Physiological Action.—Guarana has a slightly bitter and astringent taste. It contains sufficient tannin to give it a slight astringent action. Farther than this, its physiological action is that of caffeine.
Therapeutics.—It is most frequently given for sick headaches or migraine. It is especially recommended when the pain affects the right side of the bead. It shortens the attacks and increases the interval between them. From 30 to 60 grains of the powder, or an equivalent of the fluid extract, may be taken every night and every three hours during the attack. It is also given as a tonic when nerve-action is impaired, as in convales cence from acute disease, debility, etc.