Phenacetinum

Para-acetphenatidine. CcHOC.HsNHCaHjO. Unreal* — Cyanosis. Face, eruption on. Fevers. Headache. Perspiration, excessive. Typhoid fever. Uraemia.

Characteristics

PhenaceL belongs to the Aniline group, and was introduced into old-school practice as a remedy in febrile states and neuralgias, free from the dangers of Antfeb, Antipyr., Exalt, &c. Though not so dangerous as these, it is not free from ill effects. These have been well summed up by F. G. Oehme (//. /?., XV. 506), and I have put them in Schema form, and added a symptom observed by myself on a young lady who had taken PhenaceL for headaches : A circumscribed rash on both cheeks which came out red, lasted four days and then peeled, and as soon as it was clear the process was repeated. I tried many remedies with varying success, but it finally disappeared under Aim, 30, one powder at bedtime.

Mind

Anxiety.

Head

Vertigo, faintness. — Headache and flushed face.

Eyes

CEklema of lower lids and fingers.

Ears

Permanent deafness.

Face

Circumscribed, erythematous, exfoliating eruption on both cheeks ; fading away and recurring for several weeks (finally cured with Aim, 30).

Stomach

Nausea ; epigastric pains.

Urinary Organs

liu-ge doses may cause uraemia. — Frequent urination at night (cured in two cases).

Respiratory Organs

Dyspnoea.

Heart

Decrease of cardiac vigour ; pulse slow, almost imperceptible.

Generalities

Severe cyanosis, esp. of limbs, chilliness, nausea, epigastric pains, faintness, vertigo. — Trembling from nervous excitement. — Weakness and numbness of whole body, cold perspiration, collapse.

Skin

Febrile exanthema; patches profusely scattered on limbs, scanty on trunk ; disappearing on pressure, headache, flushed face (from five grains daily).

Sleep

Incessant yawning ; drowsiness.

Fever

Chilliness. — Sweating ; frequently profuse in low states of the system.