Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-16
DANGEROUS ANrI-PYR1NE.
A Warning TO People who are Trying
IL Thoughtlessly.

CINCINNATI, January 12.-Dr. 7. E.
Smith, son Of DR.. George W. Smith,
who keeps the Homeopathic Pharmacy
on Fourth below Race, is now recover
ing from an attack Of paralysis which
was the direct result of dose of anti
pyrine.
The magic bi-product Of coal tar has
risen into sudden and high esteem,
both among physicians and druggists.
Many who ask druggist for pre-
scription for sick headache will, in nine
cases out of ten, be offered anti-pyrine.
And physicians are also fond of pre-
scribing it. Since the advent of Ia
grippe, the demand for it threatens to
exceed the supply. People are rushing
to drug stores and purchasing it with
out physicians prescription and even
without any thought Of the danger
which may attend its use. Physicians
also are prescribing it when its proper
ties are as yet, to great extent, mys-
terry, and, aside from its curative quail
ties, the only thing known about it is
its dangerous action upon the heart.
The experience of DIR. Smith may
serve as warning both to druggists,
physicians and their customers. There
is no similar case on record, but since
the discovery of the effects in his case
there have been a number of rumors
which would seem to indicate that he
has not been the only sufferer.
Three weeks ago last night DIR. Smith
was suffering with severe headache,
and on the recommendation of q friend,
slipped into a dug store and took
ten-grain dose of anti-pyrine. The
headache left him almost Immediately,
and he was loud in his praises of the
great German discovery. The next
morning he came down to the shop and
went to work as usual. In about two
hours he was seized with vertigo and
faintness. He rested awhile and the
unpleasant feeling soon passed away. 1t
returned several times during the day,
each time with more severity. In the
late afternoon his tongue became affect
ed, and he found himself able to speak
only with the greatest difficulty. He
endeavored to sign the daily letters and
checks, but his hand refused to direct
the pen with its accustomed certainty.
He went to his rooms in the st. James
Hotel, thinking that he would be bet
ter in the morning. The next evening,
which was Sunday, he went down to
the store, and was found there about 10
o'clock by the people in the cigar store
next door in an absolutely helpless con-
dition. His whole right side was par
alyzed from the shoulder and arm down
to the foot. The right side of his face
was drawn down ard his tongue hung
helpless and speechless in his mouth,
from which the saliva came without
the lips being able to restrain it.
He was taken to the house of DIR. ].
d. Buck on Walnut Hills. DIR. Buck
proceeded to give him the proper med
icine and sent him to his father's house
in Avondale. When he arrived there
he was somewhat better and could,
with great effort, say few words. In
day or two he was much better, and
has been improving ever since. Yester-
day he was seen by reporter from the
Commercial Gazette. He was able to
talk although a certain hesitancy was
noticeable. His right knee was still
somewhat stiff, and the right side of
his face was pulled down slightly. He
was able to write, but only in a scrawl-
| ing and irregular way. Said he: II
would rather trust myself to the tender
mercies of la grippe any time than to
anti-pyrine."
The dose which he took-ten grains
was not an overdose. It is only the
ordinary prescription, which is given
hundred times daily. Fifteen and even
twenty grains are not considered an ex-
traordinary dose. People are running
to the drug stores by the scores and
buying anti-pyrine. The experience of
DR.. Smith may serve as caution to
many of them.
Late last night it was learned that q
young man in the employ of Mabley C
Carew had been affected by anti-pyrine
in similar way. His lower limbs were
entirely paralyzed for time.