Phenyl-urethan

Euphorin.

Chloral-urethan

Ural, or Uralium.

Ethyl-chloral-urethan

Somnal.

Acetyl-hydroxy-phenyl-urethan

Neurodin.

From a combination of aniline and carbonic acid compound ethers are derived in great numbers by substitution. Of the ethyl carbamic ethers we have ethyl-carbamic ether, or urethan; phenyl-urethan, named euphorin; chloral-urethan, or uralium; ethyl-chloral-urethan, or somnal; and acetyl-hydroxy-phenyl-urethan, or neurodin.

Although these derivative combinations agree in having antiseptic, antirheumatic, antithermic, and analgesic properties, they differ in many respects, these distinctive qualities being modified by the introduction of substitutes having certain special features.

In euphorin the analgesic and hypnotic qualities of urethan are attempted to be supplemented by the antiseptic powers of phenol. Accordingly, it has been found to possess the qualities and powers of the compound ethers, and is hypnotic, analgesic, antipyretic, and antiseptic.

Euphorin is a whitish powder, a little pungent in taste, somewhat aromatic in odor, soluble in alcohol but very slightly soluble in water. The dose ranges from 0·5 g. (= 7½ grains) to 1·0 g. (= 15 grains). It is usually administered in pill form, or preferably in wafer or capsule. It is also applied locally as a powder, or mixed with talc and other diluents, or made in ointment with lanolin or vaseline.

In full doses it depresses febrile temperature, sweating marking the end of the action, and some chilliness occurs with the initial rise of temperature. In rheumatic fever and in typhoid two or three doses in twenty-four hours are usually required. As it does not cause depression of the heart, and but little cyanosis attends its action, it is a safe and useful antipyretic in typhoid. It is one of the best of its class in the treatment of acute rheumatism. Having analgesic power, it is employed in the treatment of neuralgic affections, myalgia, lumbago, and kindred maladies.

As a topical remedy it is used in skin and venereal affections, and as an antiseptic in wounds, injuries, and local catarrhal affections.

Chloral-urethan, or uralium, is an efficient hypnotic, not so powerful as chloral but more active than urethan. It is employed as a sleep-producing remedy under the same conditions as chloral. To procure sleep, a dose of 15 to 40 grains is necessary. As its action is slower than chloral and more rapid than urethan, it should be given an hour or two before the time when sleep is desired. As it is possessed of antispasmodic properties, uralium may be administered in tetanus, chorea, epilepsy, and similar affections.

Ethyl-chloral-urethan has been named somnal, a proprietary compound having a hypnotic action. Somnal is a colorless liquid with a hot, pungent taste. The dose as a hypnotic ranges from fifteen minims to half a drachm. Differing from uralium in having an additional ethyl to the hydroxyl in chloral, it is supposed to possess greater sedative and hypnotic action. Opinions differ as to its utility in insanity, in which it has been chiefly employed. Some regard it as uncertain, but Memmo has had excellent results from its administration in epileptic mania, paranoia, and other mental disorders. It is said to leave no after-troubles.

Acetyl-hydroxy-phenyl-urethan

Neurodin differs from the preceding in the introduction of acetyl. According to Von Mering, it has valuable pain-relieving power, and is an efficient remedy for neuralgia, headache, sciatica, lumbago, and other painful affections. The dose which has been found sufficient in these affections is from 15 to 23 grains. It has been used as an antipyretic in febrile diseases—in pneumonia, typhoid, scarlet fever, and erysipelas. No dangerous symptoms have attended its action, although considerable sweating and some cyanosis have occurred. The sleep-producing effects occur within two hours, and the decline in temperature comes on within a half hour, reaching its maximum in about two hours.