Page 512 - My FlipBook

510 DENTAL MEDICINE.
slightly soluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol, and has
proven to be a most reliable antineuralgic without deleterious
effects. It causes no nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea; no collapse,
no cyanosis, or depressing after-effects. It is thought to pro-
duce its effects by slowly dissolving in the lactic acid of the
stomach.
Prof. Rumpf considers phenacetine to be not a narcotic, but an
antineuralgic acid from its strong antipyretic action.
The mode of action is probably a direct influence on the cen-
tral nervous system—that of the vaso-motor more especially, for
phenacetine acts especially on the vaso-motor neuroses, which
indicates a powerful effect on the circulation. Phenacetine is a
strong analgesic, and thought to be more powerful in its action
than either antipyrine or antifebrin, and it acts very rapidly not-
withstanding its insolubility in the gastric juice. About twenty
minutes after its administration its effects may be observed. It
is employed in the various forms of neuralgia, hemicrania, acute
rheumatism, vaso-motor neuroses, neurasthenia, locomotor ataxia,
etc., etc.
Dose.—As an antineuralgic the dose ranges from eight to
twenty-two and a half grains (one-half to one and one-half
grams). Fifteen grains is the average dose. Good results are
obtained by administering phenacetine in gr. v doses, once in an
hour until gr. xv-xx are taken.
Dental Uses.— Phenacetine is employed in neuralgias of dental
origin, acute periodontitis, and pericemental irritation.

PHENALGIN.
Formula—C6H5,NH2.
Derivation.— Phenalgin is a synthetic coal-tar product which
may be chemically described as a compound product of the
amido-benzine series. The ammonia is liberated in the stomach
in a nascent state, and tends to neutralize and antagonize the de-
pression which usually follows the administration of antipyretic
products. It occurs as a white powder with an odor of am-
monia.
Medical Properties and Physiological Action.—It is claimed that