Part 6

PROPERTIES.--White translucent masses, of a tough consistence and a crystalline structure, readily pulverizable in the presence of a little alcohol ether or chloroform; having a penetrating characteristic odor, and a pungent aromatic taste. Very sparingly soluble in water, but readily soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide, petroleum, benzine and in fixed and volatile oils. On exposure to the air, it evaporates more or less rapidly at ordinary temperatures, and when moderately heated, it sublimes without leaving a residue.

DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 3 drs.; cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, 15 grs. to 1 dr.; dogs, 3 to 30 grs.

PREPARATIONS

AQUA CAMPHORAE--CAMPHOR WATER

Tincture camphor 8, with alcohol 8 and purified talc 15; then with water to make 1000 filter.

Camphor water has this advantage over camphor in substance, that the latter is with difficulty dissolved by liquids of the stomach; but it is too feeble a preparation for use when a decided effect is desired; it is, however, an excellent vehicle for the administration of more active substances.

DOSE.--Ad lib.

SPIRITUS CAMPHORAE--SPIRIT OF CAMPHOR

Made by dissolving gum camphor, 100, in alcohol, 800; filter and add alcohol to make 1000.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 30 grs. to 1 dr. Spirit of camphor is frequently prescribed in colic mixtures.

LINIMENTUM CAMPHORAE--CAMPHOR LINIMENT--CAMPHORATED OIL

Made by adding camphor, 200 parts to cottonseed oil, 800 parts.

It is a mild rubefacient; is used in cough mixtures, also used locally in liniments.

CERATUM CAMPHORAE--CAMPHOR CERATE

Composed of camphor liniment, 100 parts, white wax 350 parts, white petrolatum 150 parts, lard 400 parts.

For external use only.

LINIMENTUM SAPONIS--SOAP LINIMENT

Composed of soap 60 parts, camphor 45 parts, oil of rosemary 10 parts, alcohol 725 parts, water to make 1000 parts; for external use only, as a mild stimulating and anodyne liniment, usually combined with other medicines and used for its stimulating properties.

CAMPHORA MONOBROMATA--MONOBROMATED CAMPHOR

DERIVATION.--Made by heating camphor and bromine in the proper chemical proportions for three hours in a sealed tube, in a water bath. The crystalline masses washed with water, recrystallized from alcohol after treatment with animal charcoal, washed with an alcoholic solution of potassium hydroxide, then with much water and finally recrystallized from a mixture of alcohol and ether. It is very easy to prepare the monobromide on a small scale in this way.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, prismatic needles or scales, permanent in air, almost soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform and fixed and volatile oils; used frequently as an anaphrodisiac.

DOSE.--Dogs, 2 to 10 gr.

ACTIONS.--Antispasmodic or nerve stimulant, anodyne, antiseptic, diaphoretic, a stimulant, expectorant, a cerebral excitant or narcotic, a gastro-intestinal irritant, a rubefacient or counter-irritant and also carminative. It has an acrid hot taste, irritates the skin and mucous membrane, large doses causing gastro-intestinal inflammation.

Medical doses stimulate the vaso-motor system and the cardiac-motor ganglia, and lessens the influence of the pneumogastric (inhibitory nerve); afterwards stimulates the accelerator apparatus, thus increasing the circulation and raising arterial tension; it also stimulates respiration, and in man stimulates mental activity even to intoxication.

USES.--In catarrhal conditions, cough mixtures, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia. The spirits of camphor is used in colic mixtures; also locally to stop secretions of milk applied frequently; in cardiac weakness; strangury may be relieved by one to two ounce doses of the spirits for the horse. Spirits of camphor is used in Thumps.

Camphor is a valuable medicine in diarrhoea, particularly in serious variety, and in that form following exposure to cold. It is not useful in inflammatory conditions, but checks secretions and pain.

Spirit of camphor and nitrous ether are efficient in relieving irritation of the genito-urinary tract. Camphor has proven of service in purpura hemorrhagica of horses given three times daily in capsules or pills.

CANTHARIS--CANTHARIDES--SPANISH FLY--BLISTER BEETLES

DERIVATION.--Cantharides is obtained from flies which receive the name Spanish Fly on account of so many of them coming from Spain, but they are also imported from Germany and Russia; living chiefly on climbing shrubs and trees.

DESCRIPTION.--About 20 to 25 m. m. long and about 6 mm. broad, flattish cylindrical, with filiform antennae, black in the upper part, and with long wing-sheaths, and ample membranous, transparent, brownish wings, elsewhere of a shining, coppery-green color. The powder is grayish-brown, and contains green shining particles. Odor strong and disagreeable; taste slight, afterwards irritating. Cantharides deteriorate with age and should be kept unpowdered in tightly stoppered bottles.

DOSE.--Of the powdered fly, horses and cattle, 5 to 10 gr.; sheep and pigs, 3 to 6 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 gr.

TINCTURA CANTHARIDIS--TINCTURE OF CANTHARIDES

Prepared by percolation of powdered cantharides, 100 parts, with alcohol to make 1000 parts.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 to 30 m.; dogs, 2 to 15 m.

ACTIONS.--Externally, is rubefacient, irritant, vesicant, according to the strength used, it promotes water blister; counter-irritant, etc. Cantharides acts more powerfully on the skin of horses and dogs than on that of cattle and swine. If applied over an extensive surface, absorption and poisoning may occur.

Internally cantharides is an irritant, and produces its effects on any part which the free cantharidin is brought into contact. When swallowed it irritates the digestive mucous membrane; large doses produce gastro-enteritis. The active cantharidin is absorbed, and in the blood forms a non-irritant albuminoid, but in the kidneys is again liberated, developing its characteristic irritation, medical doses stimulating the urino-genital tract, causing diuresis, and in some animals increases sexual appetite; full doses induce inflammation, slow and painful discharge of bloody urine.

USES.--Externally cantharides is employed as a blister rubefacient or as a counter-irritant; blisters are formed in from two to eight hours. If repeatedly used it may cause sloughing of the tissue; cantharides may be used wherever a blister or counter-irritant is required, except in inflammation of the urinary organs, as it is absorbed and will increase the inflammation. Cantharides conjoined with red mercurous iodide and adeps is usually employed in the treatment of diseases of the bones, joints, bursae, ligaments and tendons. In exostoses, as bone spavin and ring bone, used most effectively after the actual cautery, to secure absorption and resolution, or anchylosis. Always clip off the hair close before applying a blister, tie or muzzle the animal so he cannot bite it; leave blister on forty-eight hours, then wash and grease the parts daily. A cantharides blister is sometimes beneficial in hastening the formation of abscess (distemper); also to stimulate indolent ulcers or wounds; it causes swelling and closes the opening of small umbilical hernias of foals and calves. It is also valuable in closing and sealing punctured wounds into joints and synovial cavities. The tincture of cantharides can be applied once or twice daily, full strength, when the exudation of much serum is desired. Cantharides is seldom used internally except in incontinuence of urine from debility or partial paralysis of the bladder. Seldom used to increase sexual desire. The tincture of cantharides should be employed when the drug is administered internally.

CAPSICUM--RED PEPPER--CAYENNE PEPPER

The dried ripe fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum Blume deprived of its calyx.

HABITAT.--Tropical America; cultivated also in other tropical countries.

PROPERTIES.--Capsicum when ground has a hot, pungent, spicy taste.

CONSTITUENTS.--Capsicum contains capsaicin, a crystallizable, acrid body; capsicin, a volatile alkaloid; a fixed oil; fatty matter; resin.

DOSE.--Horses, 20 gr. to 1 dr.; cattle, 1 to 2 dr., sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 gr.; dogs, 1 to 5 gr.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM CAPSICI--FLUID EXTRACT OF CAPSICUM

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, and evaporated, so that 1 cc. equals 1 gm. of the crude drug.

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

TINCTURA CAPSICI--TINCTURE OF CAPSICUM

Made by percolation of capsicum, 100, with alcohol and water to make 1,000.

DOSE.--Horses, 2 to 4 dr.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 20 m. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 m.

OLEORESINA CAPSICI--OLEORESIN OF CAPSICUM

Made by percolation with acetone, distillation and evaporation of the residue.

DOSE.--Horses, 10 to 30 m.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 5 m.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 m.

ACTION AND USES.--Capsicum and its preparations are irritants, stimulating stomachics, carminatives and rubefacients. Large doses, especially in carnivora and omnivora, are irritant poisons, inflaming the alimentary and sometimes also the urino-genital mucous membranes. Properly regulated doses are indicated in atonic indigestion and flatulent colic in horses combined with ammonium carbonate. It may be advantageously combined with bitters, as nux vomica. Capsicum is a favorite stimulant and tonic remedy--to the digestion--with poultry fanciers. It also increases the laying of eggs when given to hens. Externally capsicum is rubefacient and counter-irritant, producing about the same degree of irritation as mustard, but causing considerable pain. It ought not be used for blistering ointments or for setons.

CHLOROFORMUM--CHLOROFORM

A liquid consisting of 99 to 99.4 per cent, by weight, of absolute chloroform, and 0.6 to 1 per cent alcohol.

DERIVATION.--Alcohol and water are heated in a still to 37.70° C. (100° F.), when chlorinated lime is added and chloroform is evolved.

PROPERTIES.--Chloroform is a heavy, clear, colorless, mobile and diffusible liquid, of a characteristic ethereal odor, and a burning sweet taste. Specific gravity not below 1.476 at 25° C. (77° F.). Soluble in 200 times its volume of cold water, and in all proportions in alcohol, ether, benzol, benzine and the fixed and volatile oils. Chloroform is not inflammable. Chloroform should be kept in dark amber colored well stoppered bottles in a cool and dark place.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 40 m.; dogs, 2 to 8 m. Should be well diluted with glycerine, syrup, eggs or diluted alcohol; the above dose can be repeated every two or three hours.

PREPARATIONS

AQUA CHLOROFORMI--CHLOROFORM WATER

A saturated solution of chloroform and distilled water, it should contain one-half per cent of chloroform. Chloroform water has been proven to be an excellent vehicle for administering active remedies, and, owing to its antiseptic properties, mixtures having it for a basis resist decomposition longer than those made with ordinary water. Used extensively as a vehicle in cough and diarrhoea mixtures.

LINIMENTUM CHLOROFORMI--CHLOROFORM LINIMENT

Made from chloroform, 300 parts, soap liniment 700 parts.

SPIRITUS CHLOROFORMI

Made from chloroform 60 parts, alcohol, 940 parts.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 20 to 40 m.

CHLOROFORM EMULSUM--EMULSION OF CHLOROFORM

Made from chloroform, expressed oil of almond, tragacanth and water. Should contain four per cent of chloroform. A good agent and vehicle for diarrhoea and vermifuge mixtures for small animals.

DOSE.--Dogs, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; cats, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.

ACTIONS.--Chloroform is a topical irritant, antiseptic, parasiticide, carminative, antispasmodic and analgesic. Full doses quickly and powerfully paralyze the cerebro-spinal nervous system; chloroform kills by paralyzing the heart and respiration; the latter effects are most rapidly produced when the drug is inhaled. Chloroform is the general anaesthetic most used for veterinary purposes except for dogs.

Externally it is rubefacient if confined or even suppurant. It also acts as a refrigerant, anodyne and local anaesthetic if not confined. It penetrates the skin very readily and on this account is commonly used in liniments to aid in the absorption of other medicines.

Chloroform compared to ether is much more irritating to the mucous membrane, and causes violent gastro-enteritis, if swallowed undiluted; it is less stimulating and more depressing to the heart and circulation. For inhalation it requires much more air; is less irritant to the air passages than ether; is uninflammable, more pleasant, more prompt in action, has a shorter stage of excitement, causes a more profound narcosis, and is not so nauseating as ether and is cheaper. Statistics show it to be five times more fatal than ether.

The results of various experiments show that chloroform and ether both act in the same manner upon the heart and respiration, paralyzing the latter first; but chloroform acts much more quickly and powerfully than ether in both directions. But when chloroform is inhaled in a concentrated form it generally paralyzes the heart first.

USES.--Chloroform should be used as an aid in painful and prolonged cases of parturition, especially where you have tumultuous contraction of the uterus, or rigid contraction of the os. Use just enough by inhalation to dull the pain and relax the parts; it will aid you in your efforts to rectify abnormal presentations by relaxing the parts.

Internally it is used in spasmodic and flatulent colic as it is an antispasmodic carminative and anodyne in its effects; chloroform combined with belladonna and opium is very beneficial in spasmodic coughs, given in linseed gruel or water, well diluted; in liniments about one or two ounces to the pint. Chloroform is used in chronic diarrhoea with other medicines, such as morphine, capsicum, camphor, oil of peppermint and ether. It is also a good taeniacide.

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia is divided into three stages; the stimulant, anaesthetic and paralytic.

_In the first stage_ there is struggling and excitement, due partly to the action of the drug and partly to fright. The local irritant action of the vapor causes choking and coughing, which also induces struggling.

The respiratory and cardiac centers are temporarily stimulated, as a consequence of which the pulse and respiratory movements are increased in force and frequency and blood tension is raised.

The smaller animals, particularly the dog, may vomit during the first stage of anaesthesia. In the first stage the dog may bark, whine or howl, the horse neighs and groans; other animals give expression to sounds more or less characteristic to their species.

_The second or anesthetic stage_ is characterized by loss of consciousness, sensation, motion and partial loss of reflex action and is that state suitable for operations. The stimulating action of the anesthetic has passed and there is now depression of the cerebral functions, the motor centers. The voluntary muscles are completely relaxed, the sphincters occasionally, the patient lies absolutely motionless, the cornea fails to respond to irritation, i. e., winking is not produced when the cornea is lightly touched with the finger. Sometimes the muscles are rigid and twitching during this stage of anesthesia, though sensation and consciousness are absent. In the anesthesia stage the pulse is slow, full and strong, due to lowered blood pressure, the breathing is slow and shallow but regular.

_The third or paralytic stage_, which must be carefully watched against, poisoning is beginning and there is depression of the three great medullary centers controlling the heart, respiration and vascular tension and also the posterior reflex centers of the spinal cord, so that the urine and faeces are passed involuntarily. The passage of urine frequently occurs in the first stages of anesthesia and should not of itself be considered a danger mark. When the pulse becomes rapid, feeble and irregular, the breathing is at first stertorous and then the respiratory movements become shallow and weak, with long intervals intervening between them; this irregularity is a most important danger sign. The skin and mucous membrane often become cold and clammy. The pupils are usually widely dilated, though death may occur with either dilated or contracted pupils and consequently no dependence should be put in this sign unless there has been a sudden change from one condition of the pupils to the other. The three above mentioned stages are conventional, and are not in any case so clearly defined in practice as they are described theoretically upon paper. The first stage may be either absent or prolonged, and the last stage should not be reached at all.

COMPARISON OF ETHER WITH CHLOROFORM

Ether. Chloroform. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | More diffusible. | Less diffusible; vapor | | heavier. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Inflammable and explosive. | Not inflammable, but vapor | | decomposes when exposed to a | | light and causes irritation | | and some times death. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Stimulant to heart, except | Depresses powerfully the | in enormous quantities. | heart respiratory and | | vaso-motor centers in large | | doses. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Irritating (due to exclusion | Less irritating (on account | of air), may induce | of more air being required | bronchitis and nephritis. | for dilution.) +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Respiratory centers not | Three to five times more | so easily or suddenly | dangerous (deaths) than | depressed as by chloroform. | ether. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Larger quantities required. | Smaller quantities required. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Less rapid. | Acts quickly. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | More expensive. | Cheaper. +-------------------------------+----------------------------- | Kills by respiratory failure. | Death from respiratory | | failure, combined with | | cardiac depression. +-------------------------------+-----------------------------

Consequently you can see considering both drugs to be properly administered, all the advantages are in favor of chloroform except safety.

Ether is to be preferred for dogs, cats and other small animals.

Chloroform is especially dangerous for dogs, though horses stand it exceptionally well and it is preferable to ether in large animals. The safety with which chloroform may be administered to large animals frequently makes veterinarians careless; that is, they “force” the drug; they do not allow sufficient air for dilution, and though the patients may not die from the immediate effects of the drug their existence may be terminated in a few days from pneumonia or broncho-pneumonia (mechanical), due to the irritating effects of the drug.

ANAESTHESIA.--It is best to cast the large animals; after complete anaesthesia remove the hobbles.

For dogs make a cone of a towel and paper, put a sponge in the bottom, allowing a small opening in the end to admit air; pour in ether a little at a time.

In brain diseases or tumors of the brain, chloroform is dangerous. Horses with heaves or emphysema should not take chloroform; it is also dangerous in fatty degeneration of the heart. Operations during incomplete anaesthesia, especially with chloroform, are dangerous; always produce complete anaesthesia, have the stomach empty, but don’t fast animals for more than two or three meals.

_Things to remember when administering an anaesthetic:_

The operator must be skilled and give his attention exclusively to the production of anaesthesia, watching the respiration and pulse for signs of failure.

Do not commence operation until anaesthesia is profound, until reflex action is abolished, which can be told by touching the eye with the finger; obey this, no matter how slight the operation. The utmost care should be exercised if the patient is very old or has fatty degeneration of the heart, or lung diseases.

Great care should be exercised in operations about the mouth or trachea. See that no blood passes down the trachea. The stomach and bowels should be empty. This will cause less nausea and feed may be regurgitated and run down the trachea.

When purchasing chloroform or ether for anaesthetic purposes insist on the best; it must be pure.

Ether can be used almost pure, only a little air being necessarily allowed for dilution; chloroform must have a large amount of air.

In all classes of patients the head should be slightly raised, and watch the tongue so that it does not fall back over the larynx and suffocate the animal.

Anaesthesia should be started very slowly; don’t force either chloroform or ether.

It is a good practice to have restoratives ready for use before commencing anaesthesia, as aqua ammonia fort., a hypodermic syringe and nitro-glycerin.

CINCHONA

ORIGIN.--Cinchona is obtained from the bark of a tree (Cinchona Calisaya), which grows in South America, East Indies and Jamaica. It contains at least five per cent of its peculiar alkaloids, of which not less than one-half should be quinine sulphate, which is the most important.

ACTIONS.--Cinchona is an astringent. Other than that cinchona and its alkaloids possess the same actions, that being, bitter tonic, stimulant, antiseptic, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiphlogistic, antimiasmatic, stomachic and antiferment. Large doses are general depressants.

USES.--Cinchona and its alkaloids are recommended for all classes of patients as bitter stomachic and tonics. They stimulate the appetite, check abnormal gastro-intestinal fermentation and counteract relaxed conditions of the intestines and the accumulations of mucus, which prove favorable to the development of worms.

In troublesome cases of atonic indigestion in horses respond rapidly when quinine sulphate is frequently given in thirty to forty grain doses with half a drachm of dilute nitric or hydrochloric acid. Weak foals and calves suffering from relaxed condition of the bowels, following a dose of castor oil are often much benefited by a few doses of cinchona bark, hydrochloric acid dilute and brandy.

Few medicines are so effectual as cinchona bark or quinine sulphate in improving appetite and muscular strength and hastening convalescence from debilitating disease.

They are advantageous in anaemia joined with iron salts.

Good results are obtained from cinchona or quinine in the earlier stages of tuberculosis, in septicaemia and pyaemia in all animals; in influenza, protracted cases of strangles, purpura and other similar diseases of the horse; in septic metritis in cows and ewes and in lingering cases of distemper in dogs. Their beneficial effects in these and other diseases probably depending on the action of quinine on micro-organisms or their products. It is often useful in rheumatism conjoined with salicylic acid or potassium iodide. Administered with cathartics, like other bitter tonics, it generally increases their activity. Alternated with cod liver or olive oil and iron, quinine is the best tonic for weak dogs and those suffering from chorea.