42 



GENERAL ACTIONS OF DRUGS 



While drugs probably influence the various centres in 

 the cord, our knowledge of their action is chiefly limited to 

 that exerted on the motor cells of the inferior cornua. 



If a drug stimulating the motor cells of the cord is 

 given experimentally, slight peripheral irritation will reflexly 

 cause convulsions, and, if the cord is severed from the brain, 

 the same phenomena appear. 



(A) Drugs stimulating the motor cells of the inferior cornucL 



Strychnine 

 Brucine 

 Thebaine 

 Ammonia 



Anaesthetics 



Opium I ^ . 



Ergot j- Primary action 



Uses. — Strychnine is employed in paraplegia resulting 

 from disease of the spinal cord after irritation caused by the 

 lesion has passed away. 



Uses. — Drugs depressing the motor cells of the cord are 

 serviceable as antidotes in the treatment of poisoning by 

 those exciting the same (chloral and bromides in strychnine 

 poisoning), and in convulsive and spasmodic disorders, as 

 chorea and tetanus. 



