ACETANILID: ITS USE AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE IN PREMATURE EXPULSION OF THE OVUM.

Abstract

Squibb tells us that antifebrin and acetanilid are identical. This latter drug, under the title of antifebrin, was discovered by Gerhardt in 1845, but it was left to Cahn and Hepp in 1886 to bring it before the medical profession as a remedial agent. Acetanilid is a neutral chemic body, produced by the addition of glacial acetic acid in excess to anilin. It should be a white crystalline powder, slightly soluble in hot water, sparingly so in cold water, and quite easily dissolved in alcohol, strong wine or ether. To detect acetanilid in the urine the latter is shaken with chloroform, and the residue left on evaporation is heated with mercurious nitrate, when an intense green color develops. From the published clinical reports on the subject, it is plain that its clinical application has been confined principally to its use as an antipyretic, and to a less extent, to its