DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 97 



spiritus setheris may also be used as stimulants in corresponding 

 doses. 



8. Ammonium compounds. These are very powerful excitants 

 to the brain, heart and intestines in all weak conditions in the 

 course of infectious diseases and poisonings, and are sometimes 

 used in the treatment of cattle and the smaller ruminants and 

 dogs. Aqua ammoniae, diluted with plenty of cold water, is given 

 to cattle in doses of 10-30, 3ij to gi; ammonii carbonas: cattle, 

 20-50, 5v to xij; sheep and goats, 2-5, 3ss to i; spiritus ammoniae 

 aromaticus: dogs, 0.3-0.4, tt^v to 3i. 



9. Potassiiun salts. These are stimulants to the heart, brain 

 and muscles and are most frequently given to dogs in the form of 

 meat extracts in all weak conditions. Dose, 2-10, 5i to ijss. 



2. DRUGS THAT CALM THE NERVES. SEDATIVES 



Synonyms: Sedantics, narcotics, anaesthetics, temperantics, anodynes, 

 anaJgics, analgesics, hypnotics, somnif erics, soporifics, ebriantics, paralyzants, 

 paregorics, antitetanics, antispasmodics, anticonvulsives, antiepileptics, anti- 

 neuralgics, anti-asthmatics, antodontalgics; soothing, benumbing, narcotizing, 

 anaesthetizing, pain-alleviating, convulsion-alleviating drugs; drugs that 

 produce sleep. 



Uses. — The nerve sedatives are used to overcome conditions of 

 psychic, sensory, and motor excitement in the different parts of 

 the nervous system; also in operations. The diseased conditions 

 in which they are indicated are, in general, the following: 



1. Psychic excitement in the course of diseases of the brain 

 and severe febrile general affections, including acute cerebral 

 hypersemia, acute and subacute inflammation of the brain in the 

 stage of excitement, erethistic affections in the course of chronic 

 hydrocephalus, the cerebral form of canine distemper and psychic 

 disturbances in the course of contagious pneumonia, strangles, 

 malignant catarrhal fever, tuberculosis, gid (stage of immigration), 

 and septicsemia. 



2. Cerebral convulsions in the form of epilepsy, eclampsia, 

 catalepsy, chorea, epileptiform convulsions and forced movements. 

 These occur either as primary diseases or secondarily in the course 



