ACONITUM — ACONITE 93 



Nervous System. Aconite stimulates the respiratory center, 

 but this shows a strong tendency to become depressed and death 

 frequently results from paralysis of this center. In fact, this ten- 

 dency is so great that aconite cannot be used as a respiratory stimu- 

 lant in therapeutics. The respirations are slowed under moderate 

 doses. They are strongly affected with large doses, becoming shal- 

 low, slow and labored, and the animal suffers from dyspnea. The 

 accessory muscles of respiration contract vigorously. In fatal cases, 

 convulsions interrupt the breathing and, between the convulsions, the 

 respirations are weaker and finally stop. The above depressing 

 effects are due to depression of the respiratory center. 



Secretions. The saliva is increased partly reflexly and partly 

 through stimulation of the nerve endings. The sweat is increased, 

 probably by stimulation of the nerve endings in the glands and 

 perhaps by slightly dilating the skin vessels but, at best, it is a poor 

 diaphoretic. 



Absorption and Elimination. Aconite is rapidly absorbed 

 from the mvicous membranes and fairly so through the skin from 

 alcoholic or oily solutions. It is probably largely eliminated through 

 the kidneys and skin and some authorities attribute marked dia- 

 phoretic properties to it. 



Temperature. Aconite is believed to lower temperature, both 

 in health and febrile conditions, but is not strongly antipyretic. 

 The reduction in temperature is probably due to slowing of the cir- 

 culation and in this way diminishing metabolism to its depressant 

 action upon all muscular tissue, and to some extent to dilatation of 

 the vessels of the skin, increasing radiation. 



Toxicology. Aconite usually produces death by asphyxia 

 brought about by paralysis or depression of the respiratory center, 

 although a single large dose may kill by sjTicope due to sudden 

 paralysis of the heart. 



In the horse the usual symptoms of poisoning by aconite are 

 salivation, champing of the jaws, frequent attempts at swallowing, 

 rapid, weak, almost imperceptible pulse, regurgitation of air and 

 fluid from the nostrils, cold, clammy sweat, irregular, labored respira- 

 tions, muscular weakness and in the later stages, paralysis of the 

 extremities, especially the posterior. In some cases, there are 

 colicky pains, nausea, and diarrhea. 



Cattle are said to be less susceptible and able to stand relatively 

 larger doses than horses. Dogs are quite susceptible to the drug. 

 One dram of Flemming's Tincture has killed a dog in thirty minutes 

 with the following symptoms : Salivation, retching, vomiting, mus- 

 cular weakness, weak rapid heart and paralysis of the posterior ex- 

 tremities. The pupils are dilated and convulsions usually occur. 



The treatment is first to keep the animal warm and quiet. _ Then 

 evacuate the stomach and treat the symptoms. Belladonna is said 



