MEDICINES WHICH ACT UPON THE BLOOD 



451 



follows. To this class belong alcohol and digitalis, strophanthus, aconite, 

 and 'belladonna. 



These drugs in proper doses do not reduce the normal temperature 

 of the healthy animal, but there is general agreement among practitioners 

 as to their effect in cases of pyrexia. 



Quinine, as most of our readers are aware, is obtained from the bark of 

 the cinchona tree (fig. 427). There are several varieties, some of which 

 are richer in the alkaloids than others. The virtues of the bark were more 

 or less known to the South American Indians before the Jesuits introduced 

 it to Europe. 



QUININE AND SALICINE 



Uses of Quinine. As a stomachic or bitter tonic quinine is one of 

 the most valuable remedies known to medicine, promoting appetite, diges- 

 tion, and assimilation, and raising the 

 general tone of the system after attacks 

 of fever and other diseases, which 

 leave the animal in a state of weak- 

 ness. In doses of one or two drams 

 no bad consequences are to be feared, 

 but, judging by its indiscreet use in 

 man, it may be supposed that exces- 

 sive quantities would have a like effect 

 in inducing giddiness, impaired vision, 

 &c. So far as we are aware, no one 

 has entered upon the costly experi- 

 ment " of over - dosing horses with 

 quinine, but its value in quantities 

 not exceeding half an ounce at a 

 time is now very generally recognized 

 among veterinary surgeons. 



Combined with alcohol, it has been 

 found one of the most useful agents 

 in the treatment of that prostrating 

 fever generally termed influenza. 



By its action on the blood it 

 arrests fermentation and destroys or 

 inhibits the action of blood-poisons. This is seen after difficult parturition, 

 with rising temperature and threatening dissolution. In purpura haemor- 

 rhagica it is used with good results in alternation with turpentine 

 and alcoholic stimulants. Its germicidal properties render it useful for 



Fig. 427. Cinchona lancifolia 



1, Flowering branch. 2, Section of flower. 

 3, Fruit. 4, Older quill of bark (Columbian), 

 soft. 5, Younger, showing patches of cork. 

 6, Hard bark (Carthagena). 



