ANTISEPTIC, STIMULANT, AND ANALGESIC 631 



acid on oil of turpentine. Camphora monobromata (C 10 H 15 

 BrO) resembles bromine rather than camphor in its actions, 

 is sometimes used instead of the bromides, but is not so 

 efficient. 



ACTIONS AND USES, The camphors in large doses are 

 irritant and narcotic. Medicinal doses are antiseptic, 

 stimulant, expectorant, anodyne, and diaphoretic. Ex- 

 ternally, they are occasionally employed as antiseptics, 

 parasiticides, and to relieve itching in various skin diseases. 



GENERAL AND TOXIC EFFECTS. The camphors, physio- 

 logically, are volatile oils. Like other bodies of the group 

 they are topical irritants, and large doses stimulate and 

 subsequently narcotise the central nervous system, especially 

 the cerebral cortex with its motor areas, and similarly, but 

 to a much less extent, the spinal cord. They frequently 

 produce convulsions. Those which contain the most 

 hydrogen, as the Borneo, the monobromata, as well as 

 menthol (C 10 H 20 0), are least convulsant. In fine powder 

 or solution they are quickly absorbed ; are oxidised in great 

 part into camphoric acid, and quickly produce their effects 

 on the brain and spinal cord. The effect of medicinal doses 

 on the heart is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally 

 slowed. Respiration is not much affected but may be 

 quickened a little. There is, with larger doses, excitement 

 and hypersesthesia, and in the dog and cat epileptiform 

 convulsions are easily produced, these effects being due to 

 the cerebral stimulation. Subsequently there is depression, 

 inco-ordination of movement, stupor, and collapse. The 

 local action of camphor on the stomach and intestines is 

 that of a volatile oil, namely carminative, antispasmodic, 

 and antiseptic. The drug is excreted chiefly by the kidneys 

 in combination with glycuronic acid, also to a slight extent 

 by the bronchial mucous membrane and the skin. Moiroud 

 records that two ounces produced in horses convulsive 

 movements and acceleration of the pulse, unaccompanied, 

 however, by fatal results. Hertwig mentions that two to 

 four ounces given to horses and cattle, two to four drachms 

 to sheep, and one to three drachms to dogs, accelerate 

 respiration and pulsation, communicate a camphoraceous 

 odour to the breath, heighten sensibility, and occasionally 



