138 INORGANIC AGENTS 



and spasm of the glottis. Otherwise, more or less extensive 

 inflammation of the alimentary canal will follow, according 

 to the amount ingested. Diluted vinegar and lemon juice, 

 together with the white of egg, or sweet oil, should be 

 given as antidotes. Tracheotomy may be indicated, if there 

 is glottic obstruction. Ammonia, in passing through the 

 mouth, throat, gullet and stomach, reflexly stimulates the 

 heart and respiration before absorption can occur. 



Ammonia is an antacid in the stomach, but should not 

 be employed in gastric irritability. 



Eespiratory Tract. — Inhalation of stronger ammonia 

 through the nostrils causes reflex stimulation of the heart 

 and respiration by irritation of the nasal branches of the 

 fifth nerve. Care must be exercised to prevent inflammation 

 of the air passages. Ammonia stimulates the respiratory 

 centre when it is absorbed through any channel. 



Circulation. — Ammonia is a rapid but transient heart 

 stimulant, making the ventricular contractions stronger and 

 more frequent, by stimulation of the accelerator nerves and 

 heart muscle. Ammonia also stimulates the vasomotor 

 centre, probably, and, because of this fact, and the large 

 amount of blood pumped into the vessels, vascular tension 

 is heightened. Lethal doses paralyze the cardiac muscle. 

 Ammonia differs from alcohol in being more evanescent as a 

 stimulant, in not atfecting the brain nor metabolism, and in 

 not acting as a food. 



Blood. — The normal blood contains ammonia, which is 

 supposed to aid in maintaining its fluidity. When a pois- 

 onous quantity enters the circulation, ammonia has a 

 damaging effect on the red corpuscles ; not only depriving 

 them of their oxygen, but incapacitating them from absorbing 

 more. Ammonia is thought to prevent coagulation of blood 

 within the vessels in conditions favorable to thrombosis. 



Nervous System. — An intravenous injection of a lethal 

 dose of ammonia occasions tetanic convulsions in animals, 

 owing to stimulation of the reflex and motor functions of the 

 cord. Medicinal doses excite the spinal reflex and motor 



