MOTOR DEPRESSANl'S. 153 



ganglia, the respiratory centres, and the spinal cord 

 in all its functions (motor, sensory, and reflex). 

 Aconite is slowly eliminated but rapidly absorbed, 

 and its action continues for from three to four hours ; 

 the elimination being accomplished chiefly by the 

 kidneys, increasing both the solid as well as fluid 

 constituents of the urine. Applied externally, it 

 paralyzes the sensory nerve endings of the part; 

 hence acts as a local anodyne and relieving pain. 



Aconite Compared with Digitalis. — Aconite 

 at first stimulates, but soon relaxes inhibition and 

 depresses the cardiac motor ganglia. Digitalis in- 

 creases inhibition and stimulates the heart muscle. 

 Both drugs finally paralj'ze the heart — aconite by di- 

 rect depression, digitalis by over-stimulation. Aco- 

 nite arrests the heart in diastole, digitalis in systole. 

 Aconite lowers arterial tension, digitalis raises it. 

 Aconite acts quickly, digitalis ygtj slowly. Both 

 slow the heart, but otherwise antagonize each other 

 in their cardiac actions. 



Antagonists and Antidotes. — Caffeine, atropine, 

 morphine, ether, ammonia, and amyl nitrite antago- 

 nize its action on the heart and respiration. Digitalis 

 counteracts its heart action and the relaxation of car- 

 diac inhibition, but as it acts only slowly is not of 

 much service in aconite poisoning. Evacuate stom- 

 ach if possible, apply warmth and friction to extrem- 

 ities, stimulants; in small patients — artificial respir- 

 ation ; always recumbent position. 



Therapeutics. — Aconite is given in carefully 

 regulated doses in pyrexia; in enteritis, peritonitis, 



