STIMULANTS 653 



SEDATIVES 



Depress the action of the circulatory and nervous systems. They are 

 very powerful in their effects, and are conveniently divided into brain 

 sedatives and heart sedatives. As examples of the first class may be cited 

 chloral and the bromides, and of the second digitalis, opium and belladonna, 

 and digitalis, which is the drug commonly used for this purpose, has a 

 special quality known by the name of cumulative, that is to say, if 

 repeated small doses are given at intervals for a certain time, an effect 

 is produced almost equal to that which would follow the exhibition of 

 the whole quantity at once. Besides digitalis, aconite is also sometimes 

 used to lower the action of the heai"t, and by many it is supposed to be 

 equal in potency to that drug, without the danger which always attends 

 its use. 



STIMULANTS 



By this term is understood those substances which excite the action of 

 the whole nervous and vascular systems ; almost all medicines are stimulants 

 to some part or other, as, for instance, aperients, which stimulate the lining 

 of the bowels, but to the general system are lowering. On the other 

 hand, stimulants, so called par excellence, excite and raise the action of the 

 brain and heart. 



101. Old Ale 1 quart. 



Carbonate of Ammonia § to 2 drachms. 



Tincture of Ginger 4 drachms. 



]\lix, and give as a drench. 



For other stimulants, see Cordials. 



The term stimulant is here used in its popular acceptation. Alcohol in 

 its various forms may be a true stimulant in very small doses, but it is 

 usually regarded in medicine as a narcotic, because it first excites and then 

 depresses nerve force, whereas a true stimulant is not followed by any re- 

 action. The true stimulants in use for animals, such as ginger, capsicum, 

 cinnamon and other drugs, we are accustomed from a horseman's point of 

 view to regard as cordials, carminatives, or tonics. 



STOMACHICS 



Stomachics are medicines given to improve the tone of the stomach when 

 impaired by bad management or disease. 



102. Stomachic Ball — 



Powdered Gentian i ounce. 



Powdered Ginger li drachms. 



Carbonate of Soda 1 "drachm. 



Treacle to form a ball. Or, 



103. Cascarilla, powdered 1 ounce. 



Myrrh 1| draclims. 



Castile Soap 1 drachm. 



Mix, with syrup or treacle, into a ball. Or, 



