168 MEDICINAL USES 



but that one ounce proved fatal in sixteen hours, and three 

 ounces in fifty minutes, the latter quantity causing violent 

 cramps and difficult breathing. Half a drachm introduced 

 into the stomach, and retained by tying the oesophagus, 

 destroyed a dog in twenty-four hours, causing much uneasi- 

 ness, agitation, and stupor, and leaving after death slight 

 redness of the mucous membrane of the stomach (Orfila). 

 These effects are caused partly by the corrosive irritant 

 action in the stomach, and also partly by the passage of 

 some of the vapour into the air passages with resulting 

 asphyxia. The most effectual antidotes are vinegar and 

 diluted acids, with diluents and demulcents. 



MEDICINAL USES. Its antacid and stimulant properties 

 recommend ammonia in indigestion, tympanites, and spas- 

 modic colic in ruminants. Stimulating the vaso-motor and 

 respiratory centres, it is valuable in antagonising syncope in 

 influenza and similar complaints. As in human practice, 

 ammonia fumes are occasionally used to rouse animals from 

 shock, 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 other 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 ; but 

 its success is uncertain, especially in the case of the cobra and 

 other venomous snakes. On account of its promoting bron- 

 chial secretion, and assisting in its expulsion, ammonia is 

 serviceable as a stimulating expectorant. To develop its 

 more general effects, it is frequently prescribed with alcoholic 

 stimulants, as in the convenient form of aromatic spirit of 

 ammonia. 



EXTERNAL USES. In the form of liniment of ammonia, or 

 of compound liniment of camphor, ammonia proves a useful 

 counter-irritant for muscular strains and rheumatism, for 

 stiff joints, for sore throat and bronchitis, and for preventing 

 the rapid chilling of fomented surfaces. A pledget of lint 

 saturated with ammonia, applied to the skin and covered 

 with oiled silk quickly vesicates. It relieves the irritation 

 caused by nettles, and by bites and stings of insects. 



