380 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



thrown down, which should conform to the test for strych- 

 nine. 



Dose.—B.., gr.ss.-i.ss. (.03-.09); C, gr.i.-iii. (.06-.18); Sh., 

 gr.i-i (.015-03); D., gr.^-^V (.0005-.0015). 



The dose of strychnine should be proportioned to the 

 weight in the case of all animals, but more particularly dogs. 

 Otherwise, convulsive attacks or a fatal result may occur. 

 The dose can be accurately determined, according to Feser, 

 by the following data : 



Dose per kilo (2 lbs. 3 oz. 119.9 gr. avoirdupois) live weight. 



Horse, sheep and cattle 0001-.0002 (gr.gio-a^u) 



Swine 0002 .0003 (gr.^ig ^i^) . 



Dogs 0001 (gr.eU 



In accordance with the foregoing figures, dose for 



A horse weighing 1,000 lbs. is .045. 09 (gr.^-l>^) 

 A dog " 100 '* " .0045 (gr.Jg) 



*' " ♦* 50 ♦♦ ** .00225 (gr.^g) 



" 25 " " .00112 (gr.Jj) 



10 " " .00045 (gr.yi^) 





Moreover, these doses may be given every three hours 

 without producing poisoning by their cumulative action. 

 Notwithstanding the foregoing figures, caution should be 

 exercised in prescribing strychnine to dogs, as these animals 

 appear sometimes extremely susceptible to strychnine, and 

 it is therefore advisable to begin with a minimum dose 

 (gr.y^) in small animals. 



The dose of one grain should not be ordinarily exceeded 

 in the case of horses, as one and one-half grains proved fatal 

 in an exceptional case. If animals are depressed by disease 

 or shock, they will often bear much larger doses than could 

 ordinarily be administered with safety. 



Action External. — Strychnine is a powerful antiseptic, 

 but is of no practical value on account of its poisonous pro- 

 perties. Brucine is a local anaesthetic. 



Action Internal. — Digestive Tract. — Strychnine and nux 

 vomica act as bitter stomachics in increasing vascularity, 

 appetite, gastric secretion and motion. In addition to this 



