48 GENERAL ACTIONS OF DRUGS 



Uses. — Inhalations are often beneficial in the treatment 

 of coryza, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. 

 In the first stage of catarrhal inflammation of the upper air 

 passages, antiseptics may cut short the attack. Simple 

 steaming with vinegar or sodium bicarbonate moistens and 

 soothes the dry, irritable mucous membrane and relieves 

 congestion by promoting secretion. In the exudative stage, 

 agents stimulating the respiratory mucous membrane and 

 making the secretions less viscid are in order. If the mucous 

 or purulent discharges are excessive, astringeut sprays or 

 inhalations are useful ; and if they are foul-smelling, drugs 

 combining stimulant and antiseptic actions may be employed. 

 Inhalations may be given by means of a bronchitis kettle, or 

 by atomization, to small animals. Care must be exercised 

 that too large a quantity of the solution be not used lest 

 absorption and poisoning ensue. Dogs may be placed over 

 the perforated seat of a cane-bottomed chair with the steam- 

 ing apparatus underneath. 



A hot brick is sometimes employed to give inhalations 

 to horses by dropping it into a pail containing the proper 

 solution. The head should not usually be covered during 

 inhalation if the breathing is embarrassed or the respiratory 

 tract obstructed, since fresh air is imperative. Simple steam- 

 ing may be conducted for an hour. Inhalations containing 

 special drugs may be given for fifteen minutes. 



(B) Drugs Acting Systemically. 



Expectorants are agents which influence the bronchial 

 mucous membrane and its secretion. They aid or hinder 

 expectoration in man, but are much less efficient in this 

 respect in Veterinary medicine, because the act of expector- 

 ation is performed with difficulty by the lower animals. 

 Nevertheless, expectorants are useful in altering the character 

 of the secretion and lessening the irritation caused by dry, 

 tenacious discharges, and in stimulating the mucous mem- 

 branes and improving their circulation and nutrition. 

 Moreover, some drugs (volatile oils) exert an antiseptic 



