DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY APPARATUS 109 



the following drugs: apomorphine, [terpin hydrate], pilocarpine, 

 arecoline, the antimony salts, sulphur, the alkalies and numerous 

 aromatics, 



4. Liquefaction of mucus, chemically or mechanically, is 

 brought about by all of the alkalies and ammoniacal preparations; 

 also by sweet and mucilaginous substances and water (inhalation). 



5. The following act as antiseptics or as antiparasitics in putrid 

 decomposition of the contents of the bronchi and bronchiectases, 

 and when bacteria or parasites are present (tuberculous bron- 

 chitis, canine distemper, strangles, strongjdus, syngamus trachealis) : 

 creolin, creosote, tar and turpentine oil. 



6. A narcotic effect (allaying cough, bechics) is exerted upon 

 the irritated respiratory mucous membrane by morphine, codeine, 

 heroin, hydrocyanic acid, potassium bromide and other narcotics; 

 also by mucilaginous and sweet substances. 



7. The emetics operate as expectorants in a purely mechanical 

 way (see p. 35). 



Uses. — The expectorants are the most important drugs in the 

 treatment of the different diseases of the respiratory apparatus. 

 They are prescribed in bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, catarrhal 

 and croupous pneumonia, bronchiectases, cavities in the lungs, 

 pulmonary gangrene, croupous laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis, 

 mycotic and verminous pneumonia and all infectious bronchial 

 and pulmonary diseases; also to remove blood, pus, dust and other 

 foreign bodies from the air passages. The errhines (sternutatories) 

 are used in diseases of the nasal cavity, especially in oestrus larvae 

 disease of sheep. In dry catarrhs, and also when viscid, sticky, 

 inflammatory products are present (dry rales), the gland stimu- 

 lants and the mucus-liquefying expectorants are generally pre- 

 scribed, while the stimulant (cough-producing) expectorants and 

 ciliary stimulants are employed when large collections of fluid 

 disease products are present in the air passages (moist rales). 



Drugs. — 1. Ammonii chloridum. Ammonium chloride is used 

 as an expectorant in the later stages of bronchial catarrh, ca- 

 tarrhal and croupous pneumonia, canine distemper, strangles, 

 etc.; stimulates the movement of the cilia, liquefies the mucus 



