370 SPIRIT OF NITROUS ETHER 



twofold constitution is further useful the alcohol stimu- 

 lates secretion, while the ethyl nitrite dilates the lumen of 

 contracted vessels, and thus diaphoresis and diuresis are 

 promoted in fevers, local inflammations, rheumatism, and 

 other disorders. 



DOSES, etc. As a stimulant and antispasmodic horses 

 take fgj. to fgiij. ; cattle, fgj. to fiv. ; sheep, f3ij. to 

 f3iv. ; pigs, f3J. to f3ij- ; dogs, Tf\xv. to f3J- The special 

 action depending on the costly nitrous ether, its percentage 

 should be guaranteed in all purchases, and the drug should 

 be preserved in properly stoppered bottles. As it is readily 

 decomposed, even by water, it should be diluted or mixed 

 with other medicines only immediately before it is admin- 

 istered. It is usually given in cold water, beer, or linseed 

 tea. 



For antispasmodic purposes, it is conjoined with opium, 

 belladonna, hyoscyamus, or chloral hydrate. For colic in 

 horses, two to four ounces are given with two or three 

 drachms of aloes, one to two ounces of laudanum in cer- 

 tain cases being added, and the whole dissolved in a pint 

 of cold gruel, ale, or water. Two to four ounces of the spirit, 

 with about half the dose of laudanum, repeated every hour, 

 counteract the spasmodic pains which occasionally follow 

 parturition. As a general stimulant, and for relieving 

 dyspnoea in inflammation of the respiratory passages, and 

 in catarrhal fever in horses, two ounces each of sweet spirit 

 of nitre and ammonium acetate solution are conjoined with 

 a drachm of belladonna extract. The good effects are 

 sometimes maintained by repeating the draught at intervals 

 of two or three hours. To combat serous exudation in horses 

 or cattle, two or three ounces of spirit of nitrous ether 

 are usefully conjoined with half a drachm each of iodine 

 and potassium iodide. Diuresis is determined by combina- 

 tion with nitre or oil of turpentine. Diaphoresis is developed 

 when the patient is kept well clothed in tolerably warm 

 quarters, and the medicine given in small and frequently 

 repeated doses. 



For dogs with catarrh, sore-throat, or distemper, a 

 soothing mixture is made with two ounces spirit of nitrous 

 ether, an ounce spirit of camphor, and one ounce of liquid 



