532 JABORANDI PILOCARPINE 



grains (Kaufmann). Cattle, however, tolerate much larger 

 quantities. Feser subcutaneously injected a cow and a bull 

 with doses ranging from three to eighteen grains. The 

 larger doses produced abundant secretion of viscid saliva, 

 frequent, short, laboured respiration, tympanites, intestinal 

 irritation, colic, and profuse diarrhoea, but only slight and 

 temporary diaphoresis. Still larger doses increased the 

 oedema of the lung and paralytic tympany of the rumen, 

 and also weakened heart action. But much larger doses, 

 reaching to forty-five grains, were tolerated when given 

 by the mouth. Compared with physostigmine, pilocarpine, 

 although stimulating more powerfully intestinal glandular 

 secretion, had much less effect on intestinal muscular fibre, 

 and two to four times the dose is stated to be required to 

 produce purgation in cattle. 



Dogs and cats are more sensitive to the drug than horses 

 or cattle. A dog of 25 Ibs. weight was prostrated for two 

 days by three-quarters of a grain, and Frohner records that 

 this dose killed by pulmonary oedema a dog weighing 132 Ibs. 

 Half a grain caused profuse salivation, continuing for six 

 hours, and increased action of the bowels and kidneys. 

 Half a drachm to a drachm of the leaves, infused in water, 

 produced in English terriers, of 20 to 25 Ibs. weight, abundant 

 salivation, but no notable diaphoresis. The physiological 

 antagonist of pilocarpine is atropine, which arrests glandular 

 secretion and paralyses the nerve-endings of involuntary 

 muscles. It is hence the appropriate antidote in poisoning 

 by pilocarpine. 



MEDICINAL USES. The prompt and general eliminative 

 action of pilocarpine has suggested its use for the absorption 

 of pleuritic and other effusions, and the removal of products 

 of tissue waste. It has been prescribed for rheumatism, 

 especially when affecting muscles, and in chronic eczema. 

 Kaufmann testifies to its value as an expectorant in catarrh, 

 pneumonia, and complaints resulting from exposure to 

 cold. In such cases it may be usefully combined with 

 other expectorants. Friedberger and Frohner advise its 

 subcutaneous injection in acute brain inflammation, hydro- 

 cephalus, and laminitis. In nephritis it beneficially removes 

 by other channels the albuminoid waste usually got rid of 



