Part 4

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 gr. to 1 dr.; emetic for dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.

ALUMEN EXSICCATUM--DRIED ALUM

Commonly termed burnt alum, is alum deprived of its water of crystallization by heat.

PROPERTIES.--A white granular powder, odorless, having a sweetish astringent taste, soluble in twenty parts of water at 60° F. Is a powerful astringent and escharotic.

ALUMINI HYDROXIDUM--ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE

DERIVATION.--Made from alum, 100 parts; monohydrate sodium carbonate, 43 parts; water, a sufficient quantity. Mix hot, boiling solutions of alum and sodium carbonate. Precipitate strained, washed and dried.

PROPERTIES.--A white, light, amorphous powder; odorless and tasteless; permanent in dry air; insoluble in water or alcohol.

DOSE.--Same as alum.

ALUMINI SULPHAS--ALUMINUM SULPHATE

DERIVATION.--Aluminum hydroxide is dissolved in diluted sulphuric acid, and the solution is filtered and evaporated to dryness.

PROPERTIES.--A white, crystalline powder, without odor, having a sweetish and afterwards astringent taste; permanent in the air; soluble in one part of water; insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Same as alum.

ACTIONS.--Astringent, at first excites flow of saliva, then markedly decreases it; coagulates pepsin, thus it would derange or entirely arrest digestion; it also stops peristalsis and produces constipation, though sometimes it induces diarrhoea by irritation. It arrests secretions in general and in the circulation contracts the capillaries; it is in this way it arrests secretions, especially those of mucous surfaces, and stops capillary hemorrhage. The sulphate of aluminum is mildly caustic, astringent and antiseptic. Dried alum is caustic and astringent.

EXTERNALLY.--Dried alum is a caustic, in contact with raw sores, on account of its affinity for water. Alum has no action on unbroken skin, but applied to mucous membranes or denuded parts it is antiseptic and astringent; coagulates albumin of discharges; precipitates or coagulates albumin of the tissues; squeeze blood out of the vessels; reduces inflammation and makes the part whiter, brings together and denser. Alum is a hemostatic, stopping bleeding by compression of the structures surrounding the vessels and by causing blood to clot.

USES.--In diarrhoea and dysentery, but other astringents are safer and better, as it may lock the bowels too tight, may be used in weeping sores or weeping skin diseases; in long standing nail wounds by putting one-half to one pound into the soaking tub, also in same way for injured coronets, with raw bulging surfaces that bleed easily, also for sore mouth, sometimes mix a little boric acid; useful in bleeding piles, and in mild solution alum one ounce to water one pint for sore throat; also used internally for bloody urine (haematuria) and for open joints apply the powdered alum to arrest the flow of joint oil (synovia). For catarrhal ophthalmia, after the acute stage, an alum lotion five grains to one ounce of water is very serviceable; for granular lids rub with a crystal of alum. Alum should never be used too strong over the eye as it seems to have the power of dissolving the cornea; a solution containing ten grains of alum to the ounce of water may be used in canker of the ear of dogs; also for leucorrhoea and prolapsus of the rectum; dried alum may be used as a caustic whenever a caustic is indicated, but is not recommended for this purpose. For a powerful drying powder, especially useful when excessive granulation exists. It causes sloughing of the dead tissues and is indicated when the use of the knife is inadmissible.

AMYLIS NITRIS--AMYL NITRITE

A liquid containing about 80 per cent of amyl nitrite, together with variable quantities of undetermined compounds.

DERIVATION.--Obtained through distillation of nitric and amylic alcohol. Distillate purified by sodium carbonate.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, yellow or pale yellow liquid, oily, very volatile, peculiar and very diffusive ethereal odor and a pungent aromatic taste. Insoluble in water, but soluble in all proportions in alcohol, ether and chloroform.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 15 ms.; dogs, 2 to 5 ms.; amyl nitrite is very seldom given internally; hypodermically, one-half this dose. By inhalation, same as given internally. It should be fresh as it rapidly deteriorates.

ACTIONS.--It stimulates the heart’s action, greatly dilates the arterioles by paralyzing their muscular coats; causes a sense of fullness in the brain with vertigo, fall of blood pressure due to dilation of the arterioles, lowering of temperature; when the vapor is applied direct to muscular or nerve tissues it suspends or completely arrests its functional activity; it depresses the nervous system and unstriped muscular fiber. Overdoses cause death by respiratory failure.

USES.--Epileptic attacks may be warded off by its being inhaled; spasmodic asthma, used either internally, hypodermically or best by inhalation; in strychnine poisoning, angina pectoris in tetanus, and as a heart stimulant. It is useful as an inhalation in bringing about recovery from deep chloroform and anesthesia.

ANISUM--ANISE

ORIGIN.--The anise plant is a native of Egypt and the Levant, but has been introduced in various parts of that continent. It is also cultivated occasionally in the gardens of this country. The fruit is abundantly produced in Malta and Spain; in Romagna, in Italy, whence it is largely exported through Leghorn, and in Central and Southern Russia.

DESCRIPTION.--Ovoid, laterally compressed, 4 to 5 m. m. long; carpels usually cohering and attached to a slender pedicel; grayish or greenish-gray to grayish brown; each with a flat face and five light brown filiform ridges and about 16 oil-tubes; odor and taste agreeable and aromatic. The anise berries are dried and ground, this being the form in which it is usually used.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 3 dr.; dogs, 10 to 30 gr.

OLEUM ANISI--OIL OF ANISE

A volatile oil distilled from the fruit of star anise.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless or pale yellow, thin and strongly refractive liquid, having the characteristic odor of anise, and a sweetish, mildly aromatic taste. Specific gravity about 0.975 to 0.985. Soluble in an equal volume of alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 20 to 30 m.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 m.; dogs and cats, 1 to 5 m.

ACTIONS.--Anise is an aromatic stimulant, stomachic and carminative. It is used to relieve indigestion and flatulence, to communicate an agreeable flavor to many medicines, and to diminish the griping of purgatives. Oil of anise resembles in action other volatile oils.

USES.--The oil of anise is employed with olive oil or alcohol to kill fleas or lice on dogs, rubbed over the skin; and one drop of the pure oil may be placed on the feathers of fowl to cause destruction of lice. The oil of anise is sometimes prescribed to disguise the odor of drugs, and is ordered in cough mixtures for its expectorant properties.

The fruit is given all animals (generally powdered) on their food--frequently with sodium bicarbonate and ginger--to relieve mild forms of indigestion and flatulence through its stomachic and carminative effects.

ANTIMONII ET POTASSII TARTARS--ANTIMONY AND POTASSIUM TARTRATE--TARTAR EMETIC

DERIVATION.--Make a white paste with cream of tartar, antimony trioxide and water. Set aside 24 hours, boil in water 15 minutes and crystallize.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent crystals of the rhombic system, becoming opaque and white on exposure to the air, or a white granular powder without odor and having a sweet, afterwards disagreeable, metallic taste. Soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep, 2 to 5 gr.; pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₁₀ to ¹⁄₂ gr. As an emetic for pigs, 4 to 10 gr.; dogs, 1 to 2 gr.

ACTIONS.--Tartar emetic is a systemic and local emetic, a diaphoretic, cardiac and arterial sedative and a gastro-intestinal irritant. It is a powerful waste producer and stimulates the secretions of the stomach, intestines, salivary glands, liver and pancreas. Large doses cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, while toxic doses are followed by vomiting (in animals that can vomit), serious blood purging, great depression of the circulation and respiration weakness, collapse and death. Tartar emetic is also a vermifuge.

USES.--Tartar emetic is too mild as an emetic in poison cases. In asthma of dogs it may be used in from ¹⁄₁₀ to ¹⁄₂ grain doses to relax spasm and promote secretion. For horses its most valuable use is to expel the common round worms from the intestines, for which it is very efficacious; given in two drachm doses once or twice daily in the feed for four to six days, or one-half ounce dissolved in water is given on an empty stomach followed by a full dose of linseed oil.

ANTIPYRINA--ANTIPYRIN

Phenyl-hydrazine is acted upon by aceto-acetic ether, when phenyl-monomethyl-pyrazolon, ethyl alcohol and water results.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, odorless, scaly crystals, of a bitterish taste. Soluble in water, ether and chloroform.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 3 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 grs.

ACTIONS.--Powerful antipyretic, anodyne and local anesthetic, antiseptic, cardiac depressant; it reduces temperature very quickly, usually within half an hour and the effects continue two or more hours. It can be administered by the mouth, hypodermically or intertracheally; as an antiseptic it diminishes oxidation, and promotes heat loss by dilating the cutaneous vessels, but more probably by depressing the activity of the calorifacient centers.

USES.--Used in high fever where the temperature must be reduced quickly, as in sun-stroke, acute rheumatism; in man a solution of antipyrine from four to ten per cent strength up, is sprayed into the nostrils for hay-fever. Acetanilide is a better and safer and much cheaper drug for febrile diseases.

AQUA AMMONIAE FORTIOR--STRONGER AMMONIA WATER

An aqueous solution of ammonia containing twenty-eight per cent, by weight of the gas.

DERIVATION.--Evolve ammonia gas by heating ammonium chloride with calcium hydrate and pass it into water.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless, transparent liquid, having an excessively pungent odor and a caustic alkaline taste.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 10 m. Should be diluted one drachm to one pint of water.

AQUA AMMONIAE--AMMONIA WATER

An aqueous solution containing ten per cent by weight of ammonia gas.

DERIVATION.--Same as strong ammonia water.

PROPERTIES.--The taste is not so caustic and the odor is less pungent then the stronger water of ammonia.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drs.; dogs, 10 to 20 m. Should be diluted one drachm to half pint of water.

SPIRITUS AMMONIAE--SPIRIT OF AMMONIA

An alcoholic solution containing ten per cent., by weight of the ammonia gas.

DERIVATION.--A solution of caustic ammonia in alcohol.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless liquid, having a strong odor of ammonia. This preparation of ammonia possesses properties of ammonia and alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drs.; dogs, 10 to 20 m. Should be diluted in water.

SPIRITUS AMMONIAE AROMATICUS--AROMATIC SPIRIT OF AMMONIA

DERIVATION.--Ammonium carbonate 3.4%, aqua ammonia 9%, oil of lemon 1%, oil of lavender flowers 0.1%, oil of nutmeg 0.1%, alcohol 70%, and distilled water to make 100 parts. Diluted in water.

PROPERTIES.--A nearly colorless liquid when first prepared, but gradually acquires an amber color. It has a pungent ammoniacal odor and taste.

ACTIONS.--These four proportions of ammonia are gastric and general stimulants. They stimulate the cardiac respiratory and spinal systems. They irritate the nose when inhaled, but reflexly they stimulate the circulation and respiration, they are good stimulants as they do not affect the brain. The aromatic spirits of ammonia is also a carminative. Externally they are rubefacients, and when confined are vesicants.

USES.--Its antacid and stimulant properties recommend ammonia in indigestion, tympanites, and spasmodic colic, especially in cattle and sheep. Stimulating the spinals and respiratory systems, it is valuable in the treatment of influenza, pneumonia, pleurisy and similar complaints. The fumes of ammonia are occasionally used to arouse animals from shocks, collapse, or chloroform intoxication, but must be used cautiously, lest excessive irritation of the respiratory mucous membrane be produced. It is a promptly acting antidote in poisoning by opium, aconite, digitalis, and ether narcotic and sedative drugs. It may be administered much diluted in the usual way, injected subcutaneously and intravenously, and also applied externally, in the treatment of snake-bites. On account of its producing bronchial secretion, and assisting in its expulsion, ammonia is serviceable as a stimulating expectorant. To develop its more general effects its alcoholic proportions should be prescribed as spirit of ammonia or the aromatic spirit of ammonia. Externally used in the form of liniment of ammonia, with oils, camphor, etc., proves useful as a stimulant in rheumatism, stiff-joints, muscular strains, sore throat, pleurisy, pneumonia and influenza, and for preventing the rapid chilling of fomented surfaces. It relieves the irritation caused by nettles, and by bites and stings of insects.

LINIMENTUM AMMONIAE--AMMONIA LINIMENT

Is made by mixing ammonia water, 350; cottonseed oil, 570; alcohol, 50; oleic acid, 30. The above is recognized by the U. S. P. and is advantageously used on muscular strains and where an external stimulant is indicated.

LIQUOR AMMONII ACETATIS--SOLUTION OF AMMONIUM ACETATE

An aqueous solution of ammonium acetate containing about seven per cent of the salt, together with small amounts of acetic acid and carbon dioxide.

DERIVATION.--Ammonium carbonate is gradually added to cold, dilute acetic acid until the latter is materialized.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, colorless liquid, mildly saline and acidulous taste, and an acid reaction.

Incompatible with acids and alkalies.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; dogs, 2 to 6 drs.

ACTIONS.--Diaphoretic, antipyretic, mild stimulant, mild diuretic, mild expectorant and stomachic.

USES.--Its uses are recommended in febrile and inflammatory attacks, especially in influenza, distemper, etc., combined with other medicines, improves the appetite; can be used externally as a refrigerant over swollen and inflamed tendons.

AMMONII CARBONAS--AMMONIUM CARBONATE

DERIVATION.--A mixture of ammonium chloride or sulphate, and calcium carbonate, is sublimed and resublimed. Ammonium carbonate, so-called, is a mixture of ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate.

PROPERTIES.--White translucent masses, having a strongly ammoniacal odor, and a sharp saline taste. On exposure to air it loses both ammonia and carbonic dioxide, soluble one part in four parts of water.

DOSES.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₄ to 1 dr.; dogs, 2 to 8 grs. Larger doses are recommended when a antispasmodic or carminative is desired the dose for horses and cattle can be increased to an ounce, but only two doses should be administered, well diluted in water or in ball or capsule.

ACTIONS.--Ammonium carbonate is decomposed by acid in the stomach and escapes in the urine. It stimulates gastric secretion, vascularity and motion, and exciting intestinal peristalsis. It is, therefore, a stomachic and carminative. It is also an antacid, and, in large doses, an emetic for dogs. It is given in capsules or in solution in cold water, to avoid irritating fumes; also with syrup or gruel. It is often prescribed with other stimulants and antispasmodics, as alcohol, camphor, capsicum and asafoetida. The action of ammonium carbonate is almost identical with that of ammonia water in stimulating the heart and respiration, but it has more power in augmenting the bronchial secretions.

USES.--It is given to all animals in indigestion; conjoins the actions of an antacid and diffusible stimulant; in small doses promotes secretion of gastric juice, and in larger, relieves flatulence and spasm. In diseases of the air passages it is used as an expectorant; is contra-indicated in purpura haemorrhagica, as it lowers the oxygen carrying power of red blood corpuscles, and dissolves fibrin. As a stimulant it can be combined with alcohol and sulphuric ether. Ammonia is recommended where a clot, thrombi or embolism is supposed to exist on account of its defibrinating power. Ammonium carbonate is used extensively in the treatment of spasmodic and flatulent, colic and acute indigestion conjoined with either asafoetida, capsicum, camphor, nux vomica and alcohol.

AMMONII CHLORIDIUM--MURIATE OF AMMONIA--SAL AMMONIAC

DERIVATION.--This salt may be formed by neutralizing crude solution of ammonia or ammonium carbonate with hydrochloric acid and purifying the product.

PROPERTIES.--A white, crystalline powder without odor, having a cooling, saline taste, and permanent in the air. Soluble in two parts of water; in fifty parts alcohol.

DOSES.--Horses, 1 to 2 drs.; cattle, 4 drs. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 15 grs. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 10 grs.

ACTIONS.--Internally it is an expectorant, alterative, feebly diaphoretic and diuretic. When ingested, ammonium chloride is a feeble heart and respiratory stimulant, and is not comparable to the ammonia compounds or ammonium carbonate in this respect. It is eliminated in great part unchanged by the urine, but also by the other channels. In its excretion it stimulates the mucous membranes, increases their secretion generally, and is thought to improve their nutrition. Ammonium chloride both excites the secretion of the bronchial mucous membrane and renders it less viscid in inflammatory conditions. Externally it is a refrigerant.

USES.--Useful in all diseases where an expectorant is indicated, catarrhal condition, pneumonia, coughs, influenza, chronic congestion of the liver, etc. Used externally one part ammonium chloride dissolved in ten parts of water as a refrigerant lotion for inflammatory swellings, bruises and sprains.

ARGENTI NITRAS--SILVER NITRATE

DERIVATION.--Dissolve silver in nitric acid with heat. Evaporate and crystallize.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, tubular, rhombic crystals, becoming gray, or grayish-black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; without odor, but having a bitter, caustic and strongly metallic taste; soluble in water and alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 5 to 10 grs.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 grs.; dogs, ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₂ gr.

ARGENTI NITRAS MITIGATUS--MITIGATED SILVER NITRATE

DERIVATION.--Melt silver nitrate, 30 parts, with potassium nitrate, 60 parts, in a crucible at as low a temperature as possible. Mix and cast into suitable moulds.

PROPERTIES.--A white, hard, solid, generally in the form of pencils or canes of a finely granular fracture; becoming gray or grayish-black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; odorless, having a caustic, metallic taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.

ARGENTI NITRAS FUSUS--MOULDED SILVER NITRATE--LUNAR CAUSTIC

DERIVATION.--Melt silver nitrate, 100 parts, with hydrochloric acid, 4 parts at as low a temperature as possible. Mix and pour into suitable moulds.

PROPERTIES.--Practically same as mitigated silver nitrate. Use only externally.

ACTIONS.--Silver nitrate combines with the albumen of the tissues, and is a limited caustic; causes superficial inflammation and stains the parts black; small doses increase secretion and stimulate the heart. It promotes nutrition, and is said to be a nerve tonic. Its continued administration causes waste, gastro-intestinal catarrh, fluidity of the blood, slate colored lines about the gums, and similar discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane, followed by nervous disorder, paralysis, convulsions and death.

USES.--A solution of forty grains to one ounce of spirit of nitrous ether is said to abort superficial inflammation, if early applied; used for erysipelas, twenty grains to one ounce of distilled water, applied around margin to limit the area; also used in ulceration of the throat; used with a spray or swab, in strength of from ten grains to one-half to drachm to one ounce of distilled water. For dysentery, internally and as an enema it is very good; used in conjunctivitis one to five grains to one to two ounces of distilled water, is the average strength, and should only be applied to the conjunctiva or lids, and should not be on the cornea, as it may form an insoluble chloride of silver and cause permanent opacities. Nitrate of silver is used in the form of lunar caustic to stimulate indolent ulcers, and to burn off warts.

To stimulate ulcers, touch in spots around the edge; also used in chorea epilepsy and chronic spinal disease, foot rot in sheep; a piece of the caustic is placed in sinuses of fistulous withers, quittors, etc. It causes a slough, followed by healthy granulation; used for sore teats in cows.

ARNICAE--ARNICA

ORIGIN.--Arnica is obtained from the flower roots of a plant that grows in mountainous countries of Central Europe, Asia and America.

COMPOSITION.--An active principle called arnicin. The root contains an essential oil, on which depends in great part its physiological activity.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM ARNICAE RADICIS--EXTRACT OF ARNICA ROOT (NON-OFFICIAL)

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 15 grs. to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 grs.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 grs.

FLUIDEXTRACTUM ARNICAE RADICIS--FLUIDEXTRACT ARNICA ROOT (NON-OFFICIAL)

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 2 to 10 ms.

TINCTURA ARNICAE--TINCTURE OF ARNICA

This is the best and most used preparation of Arnica.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, 15 ms. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 ms. This dose can be given every three hours to maintain the circulation of the skin; as a diaphoretic, the dose can and may be increased and combined with other diaphoretics.

INCOMPATIBLES.--Its action is antagonized by ammonia, alcoholic stimulants, opium, camphor, etc.

SYNERGISTS.--Aconite, veratrum viride, digitalis and arterial sedatives, generally increase the effects of arnica.

ACTIONS.--Arnica is irritant, stimulant, depressant; antipyretic, diuretic, diaphoretic and is used as a vulnerary, it dilates the circular blood vessels. It irritates the gastro-intestinal tract. In alcoholic solutions (as tincture of arnica) it inflames the skin when used full strength.

In small doses it increases the action of the heart, raises arterial tension and stimulates the action of the skin and kidneys.

Large doses produce a transient excitement, followed by depressed circulation, respiration and temperature.

USES.--It is a very efficient diaphoretic for horses in one or two ounce doses diluted in one pint of water; one-half ounce of fluid extract pilocarpus may be added at the outset of inflammatory diseases of any kind, such as lymphangitis, laminitis, pulmonary diseases, etc. Excellent to stop a chill and prevent the following fever or inflammatory action. It does this by dilating the blood vessels of the skin, thus attracting the blood to the surface and away from congested internal organs. It is indicated in sthetic fever of any kind; azoturia, rheumatism, especially inflammatory or articular; congestion of the brain, kidneys, etc., externally much used, but of little value on hairy animals.

ARSENUM--ARSENIC