22 GENERAL ACTIONS OF DEUGS 



drug may have been eliminated by the oesophagus and in- 

 testines and have reflexly stimulated the vomiting centre 

 through the medium of these parts. These remarks dem- 

 onstrate the complexity of the subject. 



Apomorphine is the only emetic given under the skin. 

 It also acts well by the mouth, but causes more nausea and 

 allied effects than drugs acting locally. 



Mustard and salt, 1 teaspoonful each, in a cup of luke- 

 warm water, form a convenient emetic for dogs. Ipecac is 

 useful in respiratory diseases as an expectorant as well as 

 emetic, and zinc sulphate is a prompt emetic in poisoning. 

 The other emetics are practically unimportant. 



Emetics cause, beside vomition, several other pheno- 

 mena which are sometimes utilized therapeutically. Among 

 these may be mentioned, — nausea, salivation, violent respi- 

 ratory efforts, compression of the abdominal glands and 

 ducts and extrusion of their contents, passive congestion of 

 the head, chest and peripheral parts by reason of compres- 

 sion of the abdominal veins. Increased secretion of the 

 mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, stomach, gullet and 

 bronchial tubes follow passive congestion. Muscular relax- 

 ation always accompanies nausea, and sweating ensues from 

 relaxation of the skin and leaking out of the secretion. The 

 flow of bile is increased on account of pressure on the liver 

 and gall-bladder, while the secretion is also augmented. 



The pulse and respiration are more frequent during 

 emesis, but are diminished in force and frequency after- 

 wards. All these phenomena are more apparent after the 

 use of specific emetics. 



Uses. — These apply particularly to dogs. 



1. To empty the stomach in case of poisoning, over- 



