Part 10

PROPERTIES.--White or colorless, crystalline powder, possessing a slightly bitter taste. Insoluble in water, but readily soluble in weak acidous solutions. Heroin hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder, odorless, soluble in 2 parts of water. Heroin surpasses both morphine and codeine therapeutically in many ways. It increases markedly the inspiratory and expiratory force, while lessening the number of the respiratory movements and exerts a special sedative influence on the respiratory mucous membranes. The drug acts also as a general motor depressant, hypnotic and analgesic, but is not comparable to morphine in these respects. Heroin is about five times more toxic for dogs than morphine. Heroin is particularly valuable in the treatment of all varieties of coughs affecting the dog. The after-effects of small doses are not as nauseating or constipating as morphine.

Heroin can be given in powder, pill or tablet, the Heroin hydrochloride in solution, every three or four hours.

DOSE OF EITHER.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 2 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂₄ to ¹⁄₆ gr.

ACTIONS.--Opium is analgesic, hypnotic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, narcotic; also cardiac and respiratory depressant after primary brief stimulation.

MEDICAL DOSES.--It dries all secretions except the mammae and skin. The latter being increased, it produces dryness of the mouth and throat, arrests gastric secretions, retards digestion and causes anorexia (loss of appetite); it stimulates the brain by increasing the blood supply; in man it stimulates the mental activity, while in animals it stimulates motor activity; it does not affect the conductivity of nerves, but it prevents the consciousness to pain by paralyzing the nerve centers; the action of the heart is increased and arterial tension is raised; the pupil slightly contracted; the mind at first stimulated, becomes calm, sleep follows, disturbed by dreams and headache; constipation and some depression follows.

LARGE DOSES.--Arrest digestion, cause nausea and vomiting, greatly increase perspiration, prevents the conductivity of nerves, depresses the heart and circulation, impairing oxidation and lowering temperature; it contracts the pupil by stimulating the motor nerve of the eye (in horses it dilates the pupil) and causes intense puritis (itching), especially of the nose, often retention of the urine and soon profound sleep; in some cases coma or delirium, leaving as after-effects nausea, depression, constipation, vertigo, anorexia, nasal puritis and fetid pathological secretions.

_Morphine and codeine compared with the action of opium._ Morphine is more anodyne and hypnotic; it causes more intense puritis (itching) is less stimulant, less convulsant, less constipating and diaphoretic.

Codeine is a motor paralyzant; it exalts the spinal cord more than morphine and affects the cerebrum less, producing muscular tremors in excess of sedation; it reduces the urinary sugar in diabetes and has a selective sedative influence on the pneumogastric nerve, thus a better sedative in cough.

_Indications for the use of Opium_:

1. To relieve pain and spasm. 2. To produce sleep. 3. To abort inflammation. 4. To check excessive secretions. 5. To act as a stimulant and supporting agent. 6. As a sudorific (not so active in animals as in man).

Sulphuric ether administered with opium prevents its drying up effects as well as the nauseating and depressing effects. Used for pain from any cause except acute inflammation of the brain. Used in low fevers to support the system when sufficient food cannot be taken, also in irritation of bronchi, bladder, stomach and bowels, as well as the uterus.

In inflammation of the serous membranes which line the abdominal walls (peritonitis) opium can be used freely; combined or alternated with aconite and diuretics is very highly recommended and tends to prevent dropsical conditions.

In inflammation of the serous membrane investing lungs and lining the thorax (pleurisy) opium and aconite will often arrest its development if administered in its first stages.

In diarrhoea and dysentery opium is said to be one of the best medicines we have, it can be combined with acetate of lead, prepared chalk, etc.

In inflammation of the bowels, owing to its effect in binding up the bowels, belladonna alternated with aconite is preferred to opium.

In colds administer Dover’s Powder, or opium, ammonium carbonate, quinine sulphate and camphor.

In spasmodic colic do not use opium, but give hypodermically three to four grains of morphine sulphate; it is non-constipating; also use anodynes, such as cannabis indica, hyoscyamus, etc., are preferable.

In gastritis, opium conjoined with bismuth subnitrate and hydrastis.

In eversion of the rectum or uterus, administer morphine hypodermically to prevent straining.

In muscular spasms opium is very effective.

In cerebro-spinal meningitis opium should be administered early, before exudation has set in, with belladonna and ergot, alternated with aconite.

In diabetes mellitus, codeine is said to be best, as it lessens the amount of sugar in the urine and should be administered by the mouth; if given hypodermically it exerts no influence on the sugar.

In catarrhal diseases administer opium to lessen the discharge.

In Thumps administer full doses of morphine subcutaneously.

In inflammation of the eyes morphine sulphate is very efficient combined with zinc sulphate and distilled water.

TOXIC DOSES.--Produce cold clammy sweat, very slow heart, diminished quantity of urine, abolished reflexes, coma, the pupil minutely contracted (except in the horse) but dilated as the end approaches and death by suspension of respiration, due to direct action of the poison on the respiratory centers in the medulla.

In case of poisoning. Emetics, stomach pump, permanganate of potassium, grain for grain of morphine, or 10 to 15 grains dissolved in 8 ounces of water, given by the mouth for large dogs, and 1 to 2 drachms of permanganate of potassium in 2 or 3 pints of water for horses. Artificial respiration, striking the body, keep patient moving, empty bladder to prevent absorption.

APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDUM--APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE

DERIVATION.--The hydrochloride of an artificial alkaloid, obtained by heating morphine or codeine in hermetically closed tubes with an excess of pure hydrochloric acid.

PROPERTIES.--Minute, grayish-white, shining monoclinic prisms, without odor, having a faintly bitter taste and acquiring a greenish tint upon exposure to light and air. It should be kept in small, dark, amber-colored vials. Soluble in water, alcohol, ether and chloroform.

DOSE.--As an emetic for dogs, ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₅ gr., by the mouth, and ¹⁄₂₀ to ¹⁄₁₀ gr., subcutaneously.

DOSE.--As an expectorant, subcutaneously, horses, ³⁄₄ gr.; foals, ¹⁄₂ gr.; cattle, 1¹⁄₂ gr.; sheep and calves, ¹⁄₂ gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₁₀ to ¹⁄₅ gr. By the mouth, dogs, ¹⁄₄₀ to ¹⁄₂₅ gr. as an expectorant.

ACTION AND USES.--It is a prompt and effectual emetic in animals that vomit, acting on the vomiting centers. When ¹⁄₅ gr. dissolved in water is swallowed by either man or dog repeated vomiting occurs, but is not followed by so much nausea as usually follows the use of tartar emetic. Increases bronchial, intestinal and pancreatic secretions. Chronic dry bronchitis of dogs is benefited by apomorphine. In pica cattle, 1¹⁄₂ gr. may be given on three consecutive days, or in recent cases, 3 gr. are given subcutaneously in the same way. It relieves choking in animals by its relaxing spasm and increasing secretion of the gullet. Three-quarters of a grain may be injected under the skin in horses. It should be tried before using a probang, as, if successful, it will act within fifteen or twenty minutes. The alkaloid decomposes in crystal and rapidly in solution, becoming toxic and of a green hue. Solutions should be freshly prepared.

PETROLATUM LIQUIDUM--LIQUID PETROLATUM

DERIVATION.--A mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marshgas series, obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from petroleum and purifying the residue when it has the desired consistence.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless, or more or less yellowish, oily transparent liquid without odor or taste; or giving off, when heated, a faint odor of petroleum. Insoluble in water; scarcely soluble in cold or hot alcohol, or cold absolute alcohol; but soluble in ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide, oil of turpentine, benzine, benzol and fixed and volatile oils.

PETROLATUM--VASELINE--COSMOLINE

DERIVATION.--A mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marshgas series, obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from petroleum and purifying the residue when it has reached the desired melting point.

PROPERTIES.--A fat-like mass of about the consistence of an ointment varying in color from yellowish to light amber, having not more than a slight fluorescence, even after being melted; transparent in thin layers, completely amorphous and without odor or taste, or giving off when heated a faint odor of petroleum. In other respects soft petrolatum has the solubility of liquid petrolatum.

PETROLATUM ALBUM--WHITE PETROLATUM

DERIVATION.--A mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the methane series, obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from petroleum and purifying the residue.

PROPERTIES.--A white, unctuous mass, of about the consistency of an ointment, transparent in thin layers, completely amorphous; without odor or taste. Otherwise it resembles, in solubility, petrolatum.

ACTION.--All preparations of petrolatum are valuable emollients. They soothe, protect and soften parts to which they are applied and are superior to animal or vegetable fats or oils in not becoming rancid.

USES.--Petrolatum may be used alone, or as an excipient in the preparation of ointments, but does not aid the absorption of drugs (as do alcohol, glycerine, chloroform, animal oils and fats), for it is not itself absorbed even when administered internally. Petrolatum exerts a demulcent action upon the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract, and may be prescribed in electuary or capsule in inflammation thereof. Liquid petrolatum is useful given internally in piles (dogs one-half ounce twice daily) to soften the feces. It is also very serviceable with menthol and camphor (equal parts, fifteen grains to one ounce) dropped in the nostrils (with a medicine dropper) for dogs with acute nasal catarrh. Petrolatum is sold universally under the proprietary names of vaseline and cosmoline, and is often combined with antiseptics for medical and surgical purposes in skin diseases and upon inflamed mucous membranes, blisters and abraded surfaces and sores. It is one of the most useful agents in lubricating instruments, protecting metal from rust, and is sometimes employed as a vehicle for electuaries. It should not be used as a base for blisters or other ointments where absorption is desired.

PIX LIQUIDA--TAR

An empyreumatic oleo-resin obtained by the destructive distillation of the wood of various species of pines, especially that of Pinus palustris.

HABITAT.--United States.

PROPERTIES.--Thick, viscid, semi-fluid, blackish-brown; heavier than water, transparent, in thin layers, becoming granular and opaque with age; odor empyreumatic terebinthinated; taste sharp empyreumatic. Tar is slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, fixed or volatile oils and solutions of potassium or sodium hydrate.

CONSTITUENTS.--Oil of turpentine; methylic alcohol; creosote; guaiacol; phenol; pyrocatechin; toluol; xylol; acetic acid; acetone; resins.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, ¹⁄₄ to 1 dr. Oil of tar should be diluted with alcohol, glycerine, syrup or mucilage.

PREPARATIONS

UNGUENTUM PICIS LIQUIDAE--TAR OINTMENT

Composed of tar, 500; yellow wax, 150; lard, 350.

Used alone as a healing ointment or as a base.

OLEUM PICIS LIQUIDAE--OIL OF TAR

A volatile oil distilled from tar.

PROPERTIES.--An almost colorless liquid when freshly distilled, but soon acquiring a dull, reddish brown color, and having a strong tarry odor and taste. Soluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr.

ACTIONS.--Internally, is an antiseptic stimulant expectorant. Externally, it is rubefacient and if continually rubbed in may cause papules and pustules.

USES.--Tar or the oil is commonly used in cough mixtures and in subacute and chronic bronchitis. By inhalation (which is done by pouring tar on a heated shovel or a shovel containing live coals or by adding a pint of tar to a gallon of water, heating the mixture by placing hot bricks or stones in the solution) either method is excellent for its local antiseptic and stimulating effects in the various catarrhal diseases; bronchitis, distemper, strangles, etc. Care should be used so that the vapor be not inhaled too hot.

Externally, it is a very useful agent in various skin diseases, both parasitic and non-parasitic; for this the official ointment may be used, or if used on a large surface on dogs it should be diluted with an equal amount of zinc ointment.

PLUMBI OXIDUM--LEAD OXIDE

DERIVATION.--Made by roasting lead in the air.

PROPERTIES.--A heavy, yellowish or reddish-yellow powder, or minute scales, without odor or taste. Almost insoluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. Lead oxide is only valuable for its preparations.

PREPARATIONS

PLUMBI ACETAS--LEAD ACETATE--SUGAR OF LEAD

DERIVATION.--Heat lead oxide in acetic acid and water. Lead acetate crystallizes on cooling.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, shining, transparent; monoclinic prisms or plates, or heavy, white crystalline masses, or granular crystals, having a faintly acetous odor and a sweetish, astringent, afterwards metallic taste. Efflorescent and absorbing carbon dioxide on exposure to the air. Soluble in two parts of water and in thirty parts of alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 to 20 gr.; dogs, 1 to 2 gr. Given in capsule or solution.

LIQUOR PLUMBI SUBACETATIS--SOLUTION OF LEAD SUBACETATE--GOULARD’S EXTRACT

An aqueous liquid, containing in solution about 25 per cent of lead subacetate.

DERIVATION.--Made from acetate of lead, 180 parts; oxide of lead, 110 parts; boiled together in water to make 1000 parts.

PROPERTIES.--A dense, clear colorless liquid, sweet, astringent taste, decomposed by exposure to the air.

ACTIONS.--The lead compounds are powerful astringents, haemostatics, styptics, anodynes, local sedatives and desiccants; they coagulate albumen and form a protective coat, also contract small vessels. In large or continued doses they irritate, then paralyze voluntary and involuntary muscles, and also the central nervous system.

USES.--Plumbi acetate is administered internally to check haemorrhages, especially of the stomach and lungs, has been used in purpura in horses with varying results; it is said to be very good in red water of cattle; also used in diabetes insipidus; for diarrhoea, lead acetate with opium is very good, also in dysentery, chronic scouring and bronchorrhoea; it is occasionally prescribed as a gargle.

Externally used in solution to check superficial inflammation; used on burns, bruises and ulcers, also to cool and relieve strained and inflamed tendons and joints, it is also used as a wash to abate the itching of nettle-rash and erythema and other skin diseases; also serviceable in eczema and grease-heel; used in eye wash but should not be used when there is an abrasion of the cornea, as insoluble compounds are formed; the acetate may be used as an ointment or powder or in solution dissolved in twenty to forty parts water, a little vinegar or acetic acid increases its solubility; it is used in white lotion combined with zinc sulphate and water.

Goulard’s Extract, four ounces to a pint of water, is used for sprains, bruises, cuts, burns, scratches, grease-heel, etc. For painful affections, tincture of opium, four to six ounces to one pint, or belladonna, two ounces to the pint, are added. Goulard’s Extract, one part, lard oil, four parts, makes a good dressing for blistered or bruised surfaces, grease-heel and other ailments of that class; for skin diseases, eczema, canker of ear in dog, etc.

POTASSII ACETAS--POTASSIUM ACETATE

DERIVATION.--Add acetic acid in excess to potassium carbonate. Evaporate to dryness and fuse residue.

PROPERTIES.--White, deliquescent, satiny, neutral masses of a peculiar odor; also in a granular form. Soluble in water and alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

POTASSII CITRAS--POTASSIUM CITRATE

DERIVATION.--Neutralize potassium carbonate with a solution of citric acid and evaporate to dryness.

PROPERTIES.--White, granular, deliquescent powder, saline taste, neutral reaction. Soluble in water.

DOSE.--Same as potassium acetate.

ACTIONS.--Potassium acetate and citrate are the least irritant to the stomach of all the potassium salts. They are neutral and have no action on the gastric juice: are not antacid. They are changed into the carbonate of potassium and as such circulate in the blood. Are powerful direct diuretics, stimulate the renal cells direct and increase both the water and the solids of the urine, also diaphoretic; the citrate more than the acetate. They have a slight depressing action on the heart, and slightly expectorant.

USES.--Potassium acetate and citrate are indicated in irritation or inflammation of the kidneys and bladder and cause absorption of exudations (pleural effusion, for example) through their diuretic power. They are sometimes prescribed in fever on account of slight diaphoretic and powerful diuretic properties. They also stimulate bronchial secretions and make it thinner and are recommended accordingly in bronchitis. They are used in gouty conditions, Bright’s disease, fevers of all kinds, azoturia, dropsical conditions, pleurisy, ascites oedema of the legs, sheath, udder, etc., combined with tonics, as iron, etc.

POTASSII BROMIDUM--POTASSIUM BROMIDE

DERIVATION.--Potassium bromide may be obtained by adding a slight excess of bromide to a strong solution of potassium hydroxide, evaporating the potassium bromide and bromate to dryness, decomposing the bromate by fusing the mixture with charcoal and purifying the crystallization.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, or white, cubical crystals, or granules; odorless and having a strong saline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in about fifteen parts of water and in about one hundred and eighty parts of alcohol.

SODII BROMIDUM--SODIUM BROMIDE

DERIVATION.--Sodium bromide may be obtained in the same manner as potassium bromide, sodium hydroxide being used in place of potassium hydroxide.

PROPERTIES.--It occurs in colorless or white, cubical crystals, or a white, granular powder, odorless and having a saline, bitter taste. The salt absorbs moisture from the air without deliquescing. Soluble in one and seven-tenths parts of water and in twelve and a half parts of alcohol.

ACTION OF POTASSIUM AND SODIUM BROMIDE.--They are distinguished depressants of the cerebral and spinal functions, also hypnotic, anaphrodisiac, antispasmodic and alterative. The bromide of potash, like all other potassium salts, is especially a cardiac and muscular paralyzant. They are very diffusible and slowly eliminated; long continued doses produce gastric catarrh. They reduce the number of respirations and the heart’s action and force; lessen activity of brain cells, producing sleep; diminish sensibility of peripheral nerves, causing anesthesia of the skin and mucous membrane.

USES.--The bromides, being particularly useful in the treatment of functional nervous diseases, do not possess nearly the value in veterinary medicine that they have in human practice. Consequently their use is limited mainly to canine disorders, as bromides have little influence upon diseases of horses. They are sometimes used as sedatives to the nervous system, to lower reflex activity, to produce sleep, to subdue excitement of the genital apparatus and to antagonize congestion of the brain. Used extensively in fits of dogs, twenty or thirty grain doses of the bromide of potash or bromide of soda dissolved in a tablespoonful of water; may be used per rectum if necessary in any convulsive or spasmodic condition. In strychnine poisoning, the bromide of potash may be used as an antidote in place of chloral hydrate or conjoined with it.

DOSES.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 5 to 60 gr.; average dose, 20 gr.

POTASSII CARBONAS--POTASSIUM CARBONATE--SALTS OF TARTAR

DERIVATION.--The solution resulting from the lixiviation of wood ashes is boiled to dryness and the resultant mass is the potash of commerce. This is purified to some extent by burning in ovens, forming pearlash, a mixture of the hydrate and carbonate. Water dissolves mainly the carbonate which is obtained by evaporation of the aqueous solution.

PROPERTIES.--A white, granular powder, odorless and having a strongly alkaline taste; very deliquescent. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

POTASSII BICARBONAS--POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

DERIVATION.--Potassium bicarbonate is obtained by saturating a strong aqueous solution of potassium carbonate and carbonic anhydride.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, odorless and having a saline and slightly alkaline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water. Almost soluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Same as potassium carbonate.

ACTION AND USES.--They stimulate the production of gastric juice when administered before meals with bitter tonics, or after meals to overcome excessive acidity of the stomach; used in rheumatism and gouty condition to make blood alkaline and overcome lactic acid. Useful as an antacid in nettle-rash and other itching skin diseases. Internally and externally as a mild wash, two to four drachms to the pint. A solution of the same strength is injected to overcome acidity of the uterus in leucorrhoea, etc. Calculus made up of ammonium, magnesium and phosphates occur in the bladder and urethra of highly fed rams and wethers. For this use potassium bicarbonate one-half to one drachm, well diluted, conjoined with laxative diet and belladonna to dilate urethra; it is less certain as a diuretic than the acetate or nitrate of potassium.

POTASSII HYDROXIDUM--POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE--CAUSTIC POTASH

DERIVATION.--A solution hydrate is evaporated, and this is fused and run into moulds.

PROPERTIES.--White, translucent pencils or fused masses, hard and brittle, showing a crystalline fracture; odorless or having a faint odor of lye and a very acid and caustic taste. Very deliquescent in air. Soluble in water and alcohol.

Not used in this form to any extent.

LIQUOR POTASSII HYDROXIDI--SOLUTION OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

A solution of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) containing about five per cent of the hydroxide.

DERIVATION.--Boiling a solution of potassium carbonate with calcium hydrate leaves potassium hydrate in solution, while calcium carbonate is precipitated.

PROPERTIES.--A clean, clear colored liquid, odorless, having a very acrid and caustic taste.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 10 m.