Menthol Benzoas - Menthol Benzoatis - Benzoate of Menthol. - For external use.

Other benzoic combinations of interest are: Benzanilid, an antipyretic for children. Dose, 1-8 grains (0.1-0.5 Gm.). Benzonaphthol, analogous to betol, intestinal antiseptic in doses of 4-8 grains (0.25-0.5 Gm.). Benzosol, a guaiacol benzoate, used as an antiseptic and for the same general purposes as guaiacol. Dose, 4-8 grains (0.25-0.5 Gm.). Peronin, tropococaine, saccharin, orthoform, anesthesin, and B-eucaine are all benzoyl compounds.

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - Benzoic acid is incompatible with the alkaline salts, as those of sodium, etc., and ammonium benzoate is incompatible with the ferric salts.

Physiological Action. - Externally. - When applied in a concentrated form to the skin or mucous membrane benzoic acid is an irritant, and produces a catarrhal condition of the bronchial mucous membrane when its vapors are inhaled. It is a powerful antiseptic and germicide, preventing the growth of putrefactive bacteria in a solution of 1: 1000.

Internally. - Digestive System. - In full medicinal doses benzoic acid irritates the throat and produces a sense of heat in the epigastrium. Very large doses may occasion gastric inflammation with nausea and vomiting. The functional activity of the liver is stimulated by sodium benzoate.

Circidatory System. - In large doses benzoic acid increases the pulse-rate to a marked extent, and is a stimulant to the entire circulatory apparatus. Slowing follows from vagus stimulation.

Nervous System. - There is evidence to show that benzoic acid quiets the higher cerebral centers.

Respiratory System. - It is a powerful stimulant in moderate medicinal doses, increasing the respiratory movements and promoting the bronchial secretion.

Absorption and Elimination. - It is eliminated chiefly by the kidneys, but also by the skin, salivary glands, and bronchopulmonary mucous membrane.

An important action of benzoic acid is the change it undergoes in the body, being converted into hippuric acid, in combination with glycocoll. Some benzoic acid is eliminated unchanged, the hippuric acid formed renders alkaline urine acid, besides increasing the urinary flow and disinfecting and stimulating the genito-urinary tract. A copper-reducing body may also be found in the urine.

Temperature. - Like other members of this group, the acid, as well as its salts, possesses antipyretic properties, many observers holding it to be equal, if not superior, to salicylic acid in this respect. It is not yet known in what manner it reduces temperature.

Untoward Action. - Benzoic acid sometimes produces urticaria or an erythematous condition of the skin.

Therapeutics. - Externally and Locally. - The compound tincture of benzoin is an admirable preparation for many conditions requiring antiseptic, astringent, and stimulating dressing. It is frequently applied to cutaneous wounds, the alcohol evaporating and leaving upon the injured parts a protective film of balsams. A piece of lint or absorbent cotton saturated with the compound tincture has been used to close the punctures in the skin after tenotomy.

Stille recommends a combination of the compound tincture of benzoin and glycerin for the treatment of chapped hands and lips, frost-bite, fissured and chapped nipples.

The compound tincture, diluted with water in various proportions, makes an efficient application in catarrhal affections of the pharynx and larynx, either in the beginning of an inflammation or during the relaxed condition which so often accompanies the termination of an acute attack. The hoarseness of vocalists and public speakers, the result of excessive strain upon the vocal cords, is frequently relieved by this remedy, particularly as inhaled with hot steam.

Inhalations of benzoin are a popular and frequently effective method of treating acute catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory passages.

The cough and expectoration of chronic bronchitis and chronic phthisis are eased and lessened by inhaling night and morning I dram (4 Gm.) of benzoic acid, added to boiling water.

A preparation like the following is an efficient and agreeable lotion for irritative forms of chronic nasal catarrh:

M. et flat pulvis No. 1, Sig. To half a tumblerful of water add half a teaspoonful each of the powder and glycerin. Use freely as a lotion.

The simple tincture of benzoin is an excellent application to spongy gums. There is much evidence of the efficiency of bismuth benzoate as a dressing for chronic or sloughing ulcers. Specific sores, chancroids and chancres especially, are well treated by dusting the parts with the benzoate after throughly bathing the surface with a weak solution of bichloride of mercury.

Probably the most important therapeutic action of benzoic acid is shown in the treatment of cystitis and pyelitis, which are complicated with decomposing and alkaline urine.

Phosphatic calculi may be dissolved by the prolonged administration of ammonium benzoate, which is preferable to benzoic acid for this purpose. Incontinence of urine, if due simply to the alkalinity of the urine, is relieved by the same remedy.

Liegeois has employed sodium benzoate as a cholagogue with 21 excellent results. He associates it with rhubarb. He also states that benzoate of sodium favorably modifies the pain of pharyngitis. Sodium benzoate is an excellent substitute for sodium salicylate, being especially useful in the septic diseases. It is equally powerful as an antiseptic and antipyretic, though slower in its action than sodium salicylate. Its effects, however, are more permanent and innocuous.

Administration. - Benzoic acid is best administered in pill form or in capsules, with balsam of fir or Castile soap as an excipient. The soluble benzoates may be given in solution in some aromatic water or in compressed pills. The solution, however, is preferable, and the unpleasant taste may be well disguised by a little spirit of chloroform. When any of these preparations are given for their action upon the urinary tract, it may sometimes be advantageous to combine them with a urinary sedative, such as tincture of belladonna or hyoscyamus.