<4 TREATMENT OF SPASM 



the irritated part ' (Brunton). In the treatment of colic in 

 horses, these several modes of attack are usually conjoined. 

 A diffusible stimulant such as ether or alcohol is given to 

 improve the local circulation and to increase the powers of 

 the higher nerve-centres, and thus bring the disturbed lower 

 centres and the muscles into subordination ; an anodyne is 

 associated to lessen local excitability ; while a purgative is, 

 besides, administered in order to remove the indigestible 

 food, which is usually the cause of the mischief. 



The convulsions of epilepsy, as already mentioned, are 

 warded off by bromides, while endeavour is also made to 

 remove the conditions which produce them by the adminis- 

 tration of arsenic or iodides. Chorea, depending probably 

 upon some lesion of the sensori-motor ganglia at the base 

 of the brain, is treated by arsenic and iodides, and when the 

 patient is anaemic by iron and a generous oleaginous diet. 

 Spasm affecting the heart is usually controlled by the 

 judicious use of alcohol, ether, digitalis, or nitrites. These 

 nitrites, exemplified by amyl-nitrite, nitro-glycerin, and 

 nitrous ether, are pre-eminently relaxers of spasm of in- 

 voluntary muscles. They relieve the heart and blood- 

 vessels in angina pectoris of human patients, and the 

 dyspnoea of bronchitis, as well as intestinal cramp in all 

 animals. In overcoming spasm of particular parts, it is, 

 as already indicated, important to exalt the power of the 

 controlling centres of the brain and spinal cord by such 

 stimulants as alcohol, ether, camphor, and bromo-camphor, 

 and thus regulate or co-ordinate the lower disturbed centres. 

 This twofold stimulation of the higher central and lower 

 topical centres is also exerted by valerian, asafcetida, musk, 

 and volatile oils. Other antispasmodics as borneol and 

 menthol, instead of exalting nervous excitability, lessen 

 irritability, and paralyse motor, sensory, and reflex centres 

 of the brain and cord, and thus often relieve spasm. In the 

 successful treatment of spasmodic diseases which generally 

 depend, as already indicated, on deficient and imperfect 

 nervous power, restoratives, tonics, and good hygiene are 

 essential factors. 



ANAESTHETICS are substances that produce insensibility to 

 pain, diminish muscular action and other phenomena. They 



