Phenacetinum.
Para-acetphenatidine. C6H4OC2H5NHC2H3O.
Clinical.─
Cyanosis. Face, eruption on. Fevers.
Headache. Perspiration, excessive. Typhoid fever. Urćmia.
Characteristics.─
Phenacet.
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., Exalg., &c. Though not so dangerous as these, it is not free from
ill effects. These have been well summed up by F. G. Oehme (H. R.,
xv. 506), and I have put them in Schema form, and added a symptom observed by myself on a
young lady who had taken Phenacet. 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 Alm. 30, one
powder at bedtime.
SYMPTOMS.
1. Mind.─
Anxiety.
2. Head.─
Vertigo, faintness.─Headache
and flushed face.
3. Eyes.─
Śdema of lower lids and fingers.
4. Ears.─
Permanent deafness.
6. Face.─
Circumscribed, erythematous, exfoliating
eruption on both cheeks; fading away and recurring for several weeks (finally cured with Alm. 30).
11. Stomach.─
Nausea; epigastric pains.
14. Urinary Organs.─
Large doses may cause urćmia.─Frequent
urination at night (cured in two cases).
17. Respiratory Organs.─
Dyspnśa.
19. Heart.─
Decrease of cardiac vigour; pulse
slow, almost imperceptible.
24. 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.
25. Skin.─
Febrile exanthema; patches profusely
scattered on limbs, scanty on trunk; disappearing on pressure, headache, flushed face (from
five grains daily).
26. Sleep.─
Incessant yawning; drowsiness.
27. Fever.─
Chilliness.─Sweating;
frequently profuse in low states of the system.® 2000
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