MEDICINAL USES 555 



a rule, no further effects are seen. When, however, small 

 doses are absorbed they dilate blood-vessels, reduce blood- 

 pressure, increase secretion, notably from the bronchi, 

 intestines, skin, and liver. They are used as expectorants 

 and diaphoretics, and occasionally, in small doses, as 

 stomachics. 



Ipecacuanha powder, and emetine, like tartar emetic, 

 when applied locally, irritate the skin and mucous mem- 

 branes'. When swallowed by dogs or other carnivora, they 

 produce similar in-contact irritation, stimulate the ends 

 of the vagus, causing vomiting, and when absorbed into the 

 blood likewise produce emesis, again probably by direct 

 action on the gastric mucous membrane. Full doses induce 

 gastro-enteritis, with congestion, and oedema of the respira- 

 tory mucous membrane and lungs. W. Rutherford found 

 that 60 grains of ipecacuanha powerfully stimulated the 

 liver of dogs ; 3 grains given to a dog weighing 17 Ibs. 

 produced no purgation, but increased the mucus secreted 

 from the small intestine. Gobert states that 100 grammes 

 are toxic for the horse. It is more active when given in 

 solution than in bolus. It is eliminated by the kidneys, 

 intestinal mucous surface, and the skin (Binz). 



MEDICINAL USES. As an emetic for dogs, cats, or pigs, 

 it acts more slowly and gently than zinc or copper 

 sulphate, its effect is more prolonged than that of apo- 

 morphine, and it is less nauseating than tartar emetic. 

 As an anti-emetic, drop doses of the vinum, conjoined with 

 morphine or chlorodyne, are sometimes serviceable in dogs. 

 Given in doses insufficient to cause emesis, or used in horses 

 or other animals which do not vomit, it promotes secretion 

 of bronchial mucus, and hence is serviceable in the dry 

 stages of catarrh and bronchitis. Dollar frequently gave 

 a drachm of powdered ipecacuanha with an ounce of 

 ammonia acetate solution, in ten ounces of water, repeating 

 the dose several times daily. Following the practice of 

 human medicine, American practitioners prescribe it as a 

 remedy for dysentery, in half -drachm doses, for horses and 

 cattle, and R-obertson also recommended it in these cases, 

 in conjunction with opium. 



DOSES, etc. Of the powder, as an emetic, dogs take grs. x. 



