Vol. 60, 1909 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

XXXir THE CHARLOTTE MEDICAL JOURNAL
cases the spirochjeta should be found or nerve centers, producing a physiologic contime
given for the serum test or for the ap- dition which induces natural sleep and repearance
of a roseola. Inunctions or injec- pose.
tions should then be given, in most cases no As an antipyretic it has a remarkable
local treatment being necessary. Changres field of usefulness, inasmuch as its effecton
the lips or face might be covered with iveness is not impaired by any depressing
mercurial plaster; those inside the nose or tendencies. It acts, first— by increasing
mouth should not be cauterized, but simply the superficial circulation, thus favoring
dusted with nosophen or, for pain, ortho- heat radiation from the surface of the body,
form. Secondary ulcerative patches might and second—by direct influence on the
be painted with a concentrated solution of higher centers, especially the heat centers,
chromic acid and over this a 10-per-cent. promptly controlling any elevation of the
solution of silver nitrate to form an adhe- temperature.
sive scab. At the end of the first year It has valuable properties as an antipeiodides
were given. After the healing of riodic and greatly enhances the action of
tertiary lesions under iodide of potassium quinine and similar remedies as a useful
(the most rapid remedy ) iodipin injections synergistic.
along with mercurial inunctions were use- Because of its effect on glandular strucful.—Tbe
London Medical Lancet. tures, especially the liver. Phenalgin is a
Pbenalgin: Its Chemistry.
Among the recent triumphs of modern
valuable eliminant, and this accounts for
j^^ superiority over opium and its derivates.
Moreover, no habit is ever produced by
pharmaceutical chemistry Phenalgin stands Phenalgin, and it can be taken indefinitely
out conspicuously as a safe, efficient and with a constant maintenance of its anodyne
always reliable analgesic. It is an ammo- influence.—Canadian Journal of Medicine
niated coal-tar product, the result of a special
process which unites the ingredients in
and Surgery, July 19U9.
an active form, and admits of their inde- Treatment of Gastralgla.
pendent vet correlative action when taken
into the body. E. Farroni says that the causes of gas-
More than ten vears of clinical experi- tralgia are numerous, and hence the treatence
bv thousands of active practitioners ment must vary with the cause. Among
all over the world has demonstrated that
the addition of ammonia to phenylacetamide
( Acetanilidumj under the conditions
observed by the Etna Chemical Co., in the
manufacture of Phenalgin, correct the depressing
effects of the Acetanilidum to such
an extent that it becomes stimulating in its
character, and that though the effect of the
Ammonia which is combined in the Phenalits
causes are the various diseases, organic
and functional, of the stomach, diseases,
of the liver, kidneys, appendix, lungs, and
heart. Overeating may cause false gastral-
gia. All forms of malnutrition which result
i" intoxication may be added to the causes
oi gastralgia. Also all the exanthemata
and infectious diseases. Hyperchlorhydria
and achlorhydria may both be the cause of
gin is transient, it is sufficiently important pain in the stomach. External topical apto
show that Phenalgin is one of the safest pHcatious in the form of heat, cataplasms,
andbest Analgesics, Antipyretics, and Plyp- etc., and internal hot drinks are of value,
notics, ''especially valuable in Uysmenor- '^'''e introduction of the sound to relieve
rhcea, " known to the medical profession. distension when there is spasm of the cardia
Unlike the coal-tar synthetic, Phenalgin is of considerable value in gaseous dislenis
a stimulant rather than a depressant, sion of the stomach. C^astroenterostomy
To quote Hofheimer— "It stimulates the may be needed in some severe cases with
pulse rate for a short time after taking, and anatomical changes in the stomach. Acethen
the heart's action gradually slows tate of lead and nitrate of silver are useful
down with a strengthening of the first im- i" gastric ulcers which give severe pain,
pulse." It is as an analgesic, however. Alkalies are to be used in hyperacidity and
that its action is most marked, and it is acids in fermentations due to lack of acids,
without a peer in this respect. It exerts a Antiseptics are useful in the fermentative
selective uction on sensory nerve cells, ob- cases. Sedatives may be necessary to refunding
their capacity for receiving and lieve pain and relax spasm. Farroni theretransmitting
painful impressions. As has fore contends that we do not possess any
been previously outlined, Phenalgin thus specific treatment for gastralgia, and he
prevents refiex'action in the vasomotor sys- says that it is necessary first to diagnose the
tem and removes the tendency to hypere- cause of the paiu and then to use such apmia
and congestion.
propriate means of relief of the cause as the
Its anodyne and hynotic influence is due practitioner may be able to apply.—Gazetta
to its tranquilizing effect on the higher Medica di Roma.