106 USES OF EMETICS 



senega, are emetics by peripheral stimulation of the 

 alimentary tract, although not used medicinally. 

 Emetics, acting locally, stimulate the vomiting centre 

 reflexly from the stomach. Those of the second class may 

 be carried direct to the vomiting centre ; but some are also 

 attracted to the stomach, and thus, in part, at any rate, act 

 reflexly. Tartar emetic injected into the blood is believed 

 thus to act in both ways. The effects of local emetics are 

 not usually of long duration, ceasing as a rule when the cause 

 of irritation is expelled, and leaving little depression. Some, 

 however, are more persistent, and are followed by nausea, 

 depression, and increased secretion of saliva and sweat, as 

 well as of mucus, alike from the digestive and respiratory 

 tracts. 



Emetics are used on dogs and pigs for removing from the 

 stomach foreign bodies, acrid, irritating, undigested food, 

 and poisons . Where prompt and effectual results are desired, 

 as in cases of poisoning, apomorphine or copper and zinc 

 sulphates are most suitable. By relaxing the longitudinal 

 fibres of the gullet, and exciting anti-peristaltic movements, 

 they are also serviceable in expelling obstructions from the 

 fauces and upper part of the oesophagus. They expel bile 

 from the gall ducts, and gall bladder, and force inspissated 

 mucus and small gall stones into the intestine, thus relieving 

 jaundice resulting from obstruction. By clearing out both 

 the stomach and biliary system, they remove biliousness, 

 and sometimes arrest epileptic seizures. In animals which 

 vomit easily it is better that irritants lodged in the anterior 

 parts of the digestive tube should be promptly got rid of by 

 the mouth, rather than make the longer and more tedious 

 route through the intestines, running risk of absorption, and 

 thus probably doing further mischief. By stimulating the 

 respiratory as well as the vomiting centre, emetics benefici- 

 ally promote secretion and expectoration in the dry stage of 

 catarrh and bronchitis, and sometimes in congestive as well 

 as. spasmodic asthma. In respiratory disorders, ipecacuanha 

 and squill are often conjoined, and, where there is cardiac 

 depression, ammonium carbonate is prescribed, alone or in 

 combination. Relaxing muscular fibre, they were wont to be 

 given to assist in the reduction of dislocations, but for such 



