PUMA. See WOUNDS (;_','Errre) AND GANGRENE.
PYRIDIN.—Pyridin is a basic sub stance obtained by dry distillation of organic compounds containing nitrogen (bone-oil, coal-tar, naphtha, etc.). It oc curs as a colorless, limpid, hygroscopical liquid, having an empyreumatic odor and a sharp taste, and freely miscible with water, alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzin, and the fatty oils. Pyridin forms salts with the acids. The dose of pyridin for internal administration is 2 to 10 drops in water, several times daily. By inhalation, 45 to 75 minims placed in a saucer may be evaporated spontaneously in a room, or 5 to 20 drops in 2 ounces of water may be in haled from an atomizer, or 3 to 5 drops directly.
Physiological to Blanc, pyridin, if inhaled in small dose, produces slight somnolence, headache (with congestion of the face), and some times a little vertigo. The inspiration acquires a remarkable amplitude, the blood-pressure diminishes, and there is a general vasodilatation. The excito motor power of the medulla and spinal cord is profoundly changed, their excita bility being calmed. The bronchial se cretion is somewhat increased. Absorp tion of pyridin by the air-passages is rapid and elimination by the urine al most equally so, being complete within fifteen minutes; it is also eliminated by the lungs and the glandular apparatus of the digestive tract, thus increasing the gastric secretion, exciting the appe tite, and favoring digestion. This rapid elimination permits the use of large doses with safety.
Pyridin was intro duced by Germain See as a remedy for the relief of bronchial asthma. One drachm of pyridin is left to evaporate spontaneously from a plate placed in the patient's room. At a temperature of 68*-77° F. this quantity will evaporate in about one hour.
In order to treat affections of the air passages, especially asthma, 1 drachm of pyridin is placed in an iron spoon and held over a lamp in the patient's room. When the vapors are inhaled an amelio ration of the symptoms often follows. Editorial (Satellite of the Annual, Feb., 'S9).
Pyridin used with brilliant success in several cases in Which the symptom of asthma demanded immediate relief. A
patient, however, would never inhale it for a second attack because of its dis agreeable, penetrating, and lasting odor. R. W. Watson (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci., Mar., '94).
Angina pectoris is said to be relieved by the internal use of 5 to 10 minims daily, increased to 25 minims daily.
De Renzi found pyridin an excellent heart-stimulant in doses of 6 to 10 drops, —in water, per day,—increased to 25 drops. It was as well borne as digitalis, and acted better in asystolic conditions.
PYROGALLOL.—Pyrogallol (U. S. P.), or pyrogallic acid, is a triatomic phenol, obtained chiefly by the dry dis tillation of gallic acid. It occurs in white, lustrous, odorless, scales or needles, having a bitter taste and soluble in 2 II° parts of water, in alcohol, and in ether. It is a strong reducing agent, to which property it largely owes its therapeutic effects. It darkens on ex posure to light. Its watery solutions, or even the moistened crystals, in contact with the air, absorb oxygen and acquire a brown color; the reaction of the fluid also changes from neutral to acid. The color-change takes place more rapidly if a caustic alkali is present in the solu tion. It is not administered internally. It is used externally in ointment and in powder (10 to 20 per cent.). The stronger ointments have a caustic effect. Pyrogallol possesses antiseptic properties.
Poisoning by Pyrogallol. — The in cautious application of pyrogallol may cause inflammation of the skin up to the point of ulceration and sloughing. Fatal intoxication has followed the inunction of one-half the body with a 10-per-cent. ointment, the surface being afterward covered by gutta-percha tissue and a bandage (Neisser). The symptoms be gan within two hours, with rigors, diar rhoea, vomiting, and strangury. The next day the urine was very dark colored (14-emoglobinuria); all the symptoms be came aggravated, with apathy, dyspncea, exaggerated reflexes, and collapse, fol lowed by death two days later.