Phenacetinum

Para-acetphenatidine. C 6 H 4 OC 2 H 5 NHC 2 H 3 O.

Clinical

Cyanosis / Face, eruption on / Fevers / Headache / Perspiration, excessive / Typhoid fever / Uræmia

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.

1. Mind

Anxiety.

2. Head

Vertigo, faintness. Headache and flushed face.

3. Eyes

Œdema 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 uræmia. Frequent urination at night (cured in two cases).

17. Respiratory Organs

Dyspnœa.

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.