CAMPHOR 523 



from irritation of the stomach. Poisonous quantities of 

 camphor depress the heart and the pulse becomes feeble and 

 rapid. Leucocytosis is favored by camphor. 



Respiration. — Camphor, like volatile oils, stimulates the 

 bronchial mucous membranes in its elimination by the lungs, 

 and increases the blood supply and secretion of these parts. 

 The characteristic odor is imparted to the breath after the 

 ingestion of camphor. The drug is believed to relieve spasm 

 and cough in bronchitis. 



Nervotis Sysfem. — Camphor is often classed as an anti- 

 spasmodic. It stimulates the nerve centres in the brain, 

 medulla, and spinal cord, and thus overcomes spasm due to 

 nervous weakness and incoordination. Poisonous doses 

 depress and paralyze the higher nervous centres. 



-Kidneys and Sexual Organs. — Camphor is broken up in 

 the body and eliminated in the breath and sweat, but mainly 

 in the urine, as campho-glycuric acid. The drug influences 

 the sexual organs, in some cases, but in most instances does 

 not affect them. Full medicin-al doses sometimes stimulate 

 the sexual functions (aphrodisiac action). Very large doses 

 are said to depress sexual desire (auaphrodisiac action), but 

 these quantities may irritate the genito-urinary tract and 

 produce erotic excitement. 



Temperature. — Camphor is a slight antipyretic. 



Toxicology. — Two to four ounces of camphor given to 

 horses or cattle induce convulsions, with rapid pulse and 

 breathing, but usually recovery ensues. Two to four 

 drachms cause, in dogs, vomiting, unsteady movements, 

 asphyxia, coma and death. 



Administration. — Camphor is exhibited internally in the 

 form of the spirit, in pill or ball; and in solution in oil or 

 milk. 



Uses External. — Camphor is applied in powder as a 

 stimulant and antiseptic on indolent sores; mixed with 

 chalk or zinc oxide, as a dusting powder, in chafing or 

 erythema, for its anaesthetic jn-operties. It is employed in 

 liniments (Lin. Saponis, Lin. Camphorae), in strains, bruises, 



