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234 DENTAL MEDICINE.

Therapeutic Uses.— It is employed in fevers as an antipyretic
or febrifuge ; also for the same purpose in acute rheumatism,
pneumonia, phthisis, diphtheria, etc. Externally it is employed
as a disinfectant and deodorizer, many preferring it, on account of
its freedom from odor, to carbolic acid. It is also employed as a
local application in eczema of the head and face, syphilitic ulcers,
and to cancer, gangrenous and sloughing wounds, in the form of
powder, and as an ointment for burns.
Salipyrine.—Prof. Dr. von Hosengeil (Bonn, Germany) claims
that the action of antipyrine in such cases of influenza which
show no rise of temperature is that of a cardiac poison. Salicyl
and quinine have also such action. By combining salicylic acid
and antipyrine he claims to have found a preparation which he
names salipyrine^ which has proven itself to be a most excellent
specific anti-influenzic remedy in just such cases. The dose he
employs is from 15 to 30 grains.
Dose.—Of salicylic acid, gr. x to gr. xx or xxx.
Dental Uses.—Salicylic acid is employed in the treatment of
suppurating and gangrenous pulps of teeth, in the form of the
dry powder introduced into the pulp canals and permitted to re-
main for several days. An ethereal solution of salicylic acid, in-
troduced on a small piece of punk, has also been employed for
the same purpose, where it is difficult to introduce the dry pow-
der ; the ether volatilizes in a few minutes. Salicylic acid is also
employed with advantage in inflamed conditions of the mucous
membrane of the mouth and gums, and in the treatment of
aphthae, thrush and other ulcers, in the form of a solution. For
such purposes its combination with powdered cassia or cinna-
mon, equal parts, is recommended, to be applied with a soft
brush. Salicylic acid has also been found efficacious in all in-
flammatory conditions resulting from decaved and dead teeth and
roots. It has also been recommended as a dentifrice, in the
form of an alcoholic solution of the acid perfumed with oil of
gaultheria ; but its use for such a purpose is questioned, on ac-
count of its softening effect upon the tooth structure. As tannic
acid interferes with the action of salicylic acid, these agents
should not be used in combination.