DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF CIRCULATION 63 



daily bleedings are supposed to stimulate blood formation and 

 increase the red blood-cells in chlorosis of man. Some have 

 reported unfavorable results from phlebotomy in anaemia. The 

 only undisputed indication for phlebotomy is plethora. 



DIETETIC METHOD. BLOOD-FORMING REMEDIES. BLOOD 



PLASTICS 

 Synonjnns: Haematics, haematopoietics, haematinics, erythrotics, hyperi- 

 notics, euplastics. 



Actions. — Blood-forming agents may act directly or indirectly. 



1. The direct blood plastics are substances which are normal 

 constituents of the blood: albumin, peptone, iron, potassium salts, 

 sodium chloride, phosphates, sulphur, meat extract, fat. They 

 supply directly to the blood the constituents which are absent in 

 disease. 



2. The indirect blood plastics are not normal constituents of the 

 blood, but improve the condition of the blood by increasing me- 

 tabolism, assimilation and nutrition. The most important indirect 

 blood plastic is arsenic. Others are alcohol, phosphorus, and mer- 

 cury in very small doses, and the alkalies. 



In practice, it is important that the blood plastics be adminis- 

 tered in a form which can be readily absorbed and in small, re- 

 peated doses. The iron salts and arsenic especially are to be given 

 with great care as to the dosage. 



Drugs. — 1. Ferrum. Iron. The principal remedy in anaemia, 

 hydraemia and leukaemia. The preparations most commonly used 

 in veterinary medicine are: ferri reductum (reduced iron), ferri 

 sulphas, *tinctura ferri pomata (N.F.). The numerous newer and 

 more costly iron preparations, and also the new albumin prepara- 

 tions, are not necessary in veterinary medicine. Dose of reduced 

 iron and iron sulphate for horses and cattle, 1-5, grs. xv to 3i; 

 dogs, 0.02-0.2, grs. J^ to iij; sheep, 0.5-1, grs. vij to xv. Dose of 

 tincture ferri pomata for dogs, 10 to 20 drops. Concerning the 

 absorption of iron preparations, see text-books on pharmacology. 



2. *Meat extract. This acts as a haematopoietic by supplying 

 blood salts, potassium salts and phosphates. Dose for dog, 2-10, 

 5ss to 5ijss. 



