376 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



cortex occurs, while both stimulation of the brain and cord 

 are observed in the domestic animals. The symptoms of 

 poisoning in dogs, cats and mammals generally, are restless- 

 ness, occasion«illy vomiting in dogs, rapid breathing, primary 

 reduction followed by rise in temperature, clonic or tonic 

 convulsions, muscular weakness, and general paresis. Death 

 occurs from respiratory failure. The minimum fatal dose 

 is about 1 gr. to 1 lb. of live weight in the cat. 



Administration. — Caffeine and its ordinary salts are 

 decomposed by water and therefore should not be given 

 subcutaneously. The alkaloid is best administered in solu- 

 tion with sodium salicylate, or benzoate, for use under the 

 skin as follows : — , 



Caflfeinae gr.xL 



Sodii salicylatis gr.xxx. 



AqudB 3 i. 



M. 



S. Give fifteen drops hypodermically to horse. 



Three drops to dog. 

 or: — 



Caff einae 



Sodii benzoinatis aa ^r.xv. 



Aquae tt^xIv. 



M. 



S. Give one-half, under the skin, to horse. 



The soluble citrate may be given internally, but it is 

 not a definite or reliable preparation, and inferior to caffeine, 

 which may be administered in solution with a little citric 

 acid, or as above. 



Uses. — Three indications for the use of caffeine may be 

 deduced from our knowledge of its physiological action. 

 1. To stimulate the brain. .2. To stimulate the heart. 

 3. To cause diuresis. 



1. Its application as a cerebral stimulant is very limited 

 in veterinary medicine. It acts thus as an antidote to opium 

 poisoning. One and a half grains of caffeine will save cats 

 poisoned by the minimum fatal dose (gr.l|) of morphine. 



