ACONITE 439 



Treatment — Evacuate the stomach by pump or siphon. 

 Emetics are contraindicated as disturbing the heart. Car- 

 diac and respiratory stimulants are to be given subcutane- 

 ouslv, as alcohol, ether, and tincture of digitalis, in addition 

 to inhalation of amyl nitrite. The patient must be kept 

 quiet, and artificial respiration done if practicable and 

 necessary. 



Experimental and clinical evidence abundantly prove 

 the antagonism of digitalis as an antidote in stimulating 

 the heart, even when it has stopped beating, in aconite 

 poisoning. 



Uses External. — Aconite may be applied in the official 

 liniment (fluid extract of aconite, 40 ; chloroform liniment, 

 60) to relieve pain of an inflammatory, neuralgic, or rheu- 

 matic character; or as aconitine in ointment (2-4 per cent.) 

 for the same purposes. Aconitine is very expensive, how- 

 ever. Care must be exercised to prevent undue absorption 

 and poisoning. 



Uses Interned, — Aconite fills certain indications which no 

 other drug does. It is useful in fever because : 



1. It diminishes the force and frequency of the heart. 



2. It causes arterial relaxation and equalizes the circu- 

 lation ; {,€., it allows the blood to flow away from congested 

 areas into dilated peripheral vessels. It is not s© powerful 

 as veratrum viride. 



3. It lowers temperature and produces sweating and 

 diuresis. 



4. It relieves pain and restlessness to some extent. 

 Aconite is particularly applicable, conjoined with sweet 



spirit of nitre, in the first stages of febrile diseases ; in those 

 attacking the young ; and in those of self-limited and short 

 duration, viz., coryza, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pleuritis, 

 bronchitis and pneumonia uncomplicated with influenza. 

 It is also indicated in the initial period of acute muscular 

 rheumatism, enteritis and peritonitis (combined with opium), 

 and in mammitis, lymphangitis, and laminitis. Spasmodic 

 and painful disorders, as colic, are relieved more success- 



