(Guaia-Col-salol).

- Origin, by the action of phosphorous oxychloride on a mixture of sodium-guaiacol and salicylate. It is analogous to salol.

Description and Properties. - White, crystalline, odorless, and tasteless powder, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform.

Dose. - 10-150 grains (0.60-10 Gm.) daily.

Physiological Action of Guaiacol and its Derivatives. Guaiacol produces an action very similar to that of creosote. It is not caustic when applied in full strength. It possesses marked antipyretic properties. It is readily absorbed through the unbroken skin, and rapidly reduces febrile temperature when applied in this manner. The reduction of temperature lasts from four to six hours.

It is a diaphoretic and diuretic. It is excreted by the sweat, saliva, and urine, but is only slighly thrown out by the expired air, though small amounts of the drug have been found in the lung-tissue. As it is eliminated as a salt of ethyl-sulphuric acid, it must combine with albuminous bodies in the blood, and chiefly through the sulphur present in the albumin molecule. It can be found in the urine within fifteen minutes after administration or external application in the form of a substance giving the reaction of phenol.

It is more agreeable to the stomach than creosote, and frequently improves the appetite, though to some patients it is very disagreeable and acts as an irritant.

The guaiacol carbonate is usually much better borne by the stomach, and is therefore a useful and efficient substitute.

Benzosol, guaiacol benzoate, contains 54 per cent. of guaiacol. It is usually well borne by the patient, and seldom occasions any digestive disturbance. In the intestinal canal it resolves into guaiacol and benzoic acid, and is excreted by the urine as combinations of these substances.

Therapeutics. - Guaiacol is used for the same purposes as creosote - less likely to irritate the intestinal canal and kidneys.

Guaiacol causes a marked reduction of the temperature in cases of tuberculous disease when applied locally, nor is the antipyretic action when thus employed confined to tuberculous cases. It has given satisfactory results in other pyrexias. It is a very active antipyretic in erysipelas. The temperature begins to fall within fifteen or twenty minutes after the application of the drug. As with all antipyretics, the depressing action of guaiacol must be borne in mind.

Raymond first suggested the local application of guaiacol in tonsillitis. It undoubtedly exerts a favorable action on the disease.

Contraindications. - The same as for creosote.

Administration. - The solid derivatives of guaiacol may be given in powders or capsules. Guaiacol itself may be given in the same manner as creosote - preferably, mixed with cod-liver oil or enclosed in capsules.