Evening journal., 1893-04-14
DANGERS OF ANrlPYRlNe.
Risks Taken by the Uninowing In Using
the Fashionable Drug.


the Fashionable Drug.
with .he exception cf professional chem
lists. nobody. or almost nobody, knows
either the nature or the genesis Of antipy-
rine. Even the initiated find it rather diff
fcult to explain to the profane, to whom it
must suffice to know that substantially
antipyrine, like aniline, benzine and phe-
mol, is derivative of coal tar, from which
70 many things heterogeneous and contra
dictory are noy extracted.
Heaven forbid that the writer should ca
lumiatc antipyrine, or desire to do the
least wrong TO that inestimable specific for
intense and recalcitrant nerve disorders.
Whatever one may think, do or say. it is
beyond doubt that by some unexplained
sorcery antipyrine possesses the precious
virtue Of alternating and even suppressing
pain instantaneously.
With opium, Of which the handling is so
ticklish, IL is incontestably one Of the
quickest and most powerful soothers. We
know also that in the most diverse febrile
case It is able in the bargain TO lower the
temperature Of the patient with certainty
and regularity almost miraculous. Moth
ing more is needed, especially in an epoch
like the present, highly strung, overworked
and fertilein Cxasperated nerves, 20 earn the
reputation Of a veritable gift from heaven.
But excess Is fault IN everything, and
antipyrine is no exception. 1t is to be
feared that in their blind admiration Of IL
the inconsiderate crowd have got TO the
point Of abusing the application of the
drug. The time has come to sound the
alarm Let it not be forgotten that anti
pyrine, in spite Of its advantages and serv-
ices, is an undoubted poison-eyen vio-
lent poison.
The accidents attributed to IL during the
seven or eight years that it has been known
as a remedy are too numerous to count, and
It should be noted that the cases that come
TO light are usually those in which there
has been the Intervention of medical man
with express prescriptions and doses accord
ing to rule and formula. What, then, must
be the consequences Of the daily use by
guess work. without authorization, which
legions Of persons suffering from nervous
pains make Of antipyrine? To suppress
pGin-that is to say, the consciousness Of
disorder or diseases not TO suppress the
malady.
On the contrary, it may be the creation
OF a dangerous illusion, lulling distrust
and paralyzing defensive action. An invalid
is so ready to believe himself cured and
when he has ceased to feel pain. The truth
is that antipyrine has vices to match its
good qualities, and that its benellcent ef-
fects themselves are not without peril.
1t is by Supplying the nervous system
and in particular the vasomotor nerves
the springs OF the circulatory system, the
nerves which govern the contraction and
dilation Of the blood vessels-that anti
pyrine exercises its soothing influence.
There follows necessarily n slowing OF
the circulation, more or less Of an approach
TO stagnation Of the blood, which becomes
thicker and tends to coagulate. There fol-
lows an abatement in the elimination OF
those ashes of life, which are.to the animal
organism what household Viuse is TO a
great city. As proof one may point out
that antipyrine diminishes sensibly the
kidney secretion and that it has been EN-
| ployed to stop hemorrhages.
In infectious and parasitic maladies lik,
influenza the capital necessity, while pur
suing and killing the poisoner, is 20 elm
mate the poison with all haste, for the &C
ton of microbes is double.-Pal Mall Ga
zette.