602 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



of tlie extremities, including the feet, ears, and tail of quadru- 

 peds ; the comb, tongue and beak of birds, — followed by the 

 appearance of passive congestion, blebs, and dry gangrene 

 in the vicinity of these parts. The hoofs and beaks often 

 drop off. Death ensues from general exhaustion. In the 

 spasmodic form are seen tonic contraction of the flexor 

 tendons of the limbs and anaesthesia of the extremities ; 

 muscular trembling and general tetanic spasm, with opistho- 

 tonos, convulsions and delirium. Death also occurs from 

 asthenia. 



Uses. — Two therapeutic indications for the use of ergot 

 can be directly deduced from its physiological actions : 1, 

 to cause uterine contraction ; 2, to produce general vascular 

 contraction. 



1. Ergot is occasionally of service in simple uterine 

 inertia when there^is no malposition of the foetus, or mechan- 

 ical obstruction (pelvic deformity, rigid os uteri) to its 

 passage. Very small doses must be given for this purpose 

 in order to intensify the force of the uterine contractions 

 without inducing spasm of the uterus. The more common 

 causes of dystocia are remedied most advantageously by 

 manual interference. Ergot is of chiefest value in obstetric 

 practice to prevent or arrest j^ost-partum haemorrhage uhich 

 sometimes occurs in cows and ewes. If administered before 

 delivery of the placenta, ergot may give rise to tonic con- 

 traction of the womb and retention of the afterbirth. 



Ergot is of benefit in some disorders of the unimpreg- 

 nated and non-parturient uterus. Thus to aid the expulsion 

 of cysts, and to contract the uterus and its blood vessels in 

 hypertrophy, subinvolution, chronic metritis and fibroid 

 tumors. 



In paralysis of the bladder, ergot is occasionally useful 

 by creating contraction of the muscular coat of its walls. 

 This condition is most satisfactorily treated by the injection 

 of an ordinary dose of ergotin into the empty urinary bladder. 



2. Ergot is commonly recommended for combatting 

 internal haemorrhage, when surgical measures are impossible. 



