CEREBRAL DEPRESSANTS. 139 



venous trunks and right side of heart, bladder dis- 

 tended with a dark- colored urine. 



Treatment of Opium Poisoning. — The stomach 

 should be evacuated whenever practicable, respiration 

 and circulation maintained ; intratracheal or subcu- 

 taneous injections of atropine in small doses (care- 

 fully, lest atropine narcosis be substituted for the 

 opium narcosis). This is one of the most complete 

 antagonists known. The animal should if possible be 

 kept in motion, and the bladder frequently evacuated 

 to prevent reabsorption. 



Permanganate of potash is also a very excellent 

 antidote. The writer found that an aged gelding 

 poisoned by morphine sulphate 3 i. made a complete 

 recovery in four hours, after receiving drachm doses of 

 the permanganate every half -hour for six consecutive 

 doses. 



Caffeine, cocaine, and strychnine are also antago- 

 nistic to some of the effects of opium. 



Therapeutics. — The chief indications for the use 

 of opium or morphine are: (1) To relieve pain; (2) 

 to produce sleep ; (3) to allay irritation ; (4) to check 

 excessive secretions; (5) to support the system; (f5) 

 as a sudorific. It should be carefully used in very 

 young animals or in old animals; also in advanced 

 disease of the kidneys, respiratory apparatus, cardiac 

 troubles, acute fevers, and obstinate constipation. 



Opium and its preparations are given to relieve 

 pain from any cause except acute inflammation of 

 the brain; in irritation of the bronchi, irritable cough, 

 irritation of the bladder, stomach, intestinal appara- 



