94 CIRCULATORY DEPRESSANTS 



to be antidotal because it not only checks the vagus activity but also 

 stimulates the respiratory center and depresses the constrictor end- 

 ings in the bronchial muscles, thiis overcoming the difficult respira- 

 tion. Diffusible stimulants (ether, alcohol, etc.) are always indi- 

 cated. Artificial respiration should be resorted to if necessary. 



Therapeutics. 



Internally. According to the results of recent investigations, 

 aconite has doubtful therapeutic value when taken internally. It 

 has been used to reduce the force and frequency of the pulse, cause 

 arterial relaxation and equalize the circulation, in other words, to 

 allow the blood to flow from a congested part. Thus, it has been 

 especially recommended in the first stages of acute febrile conditions 

 of the young, and in those of short duration, as in coryza, laryngitis, 

 distemper, etc., or in the first stages of sthenic fevers but not in the 

 latter course of the fever. It has also been recommended in the first 

 stages of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatism, lymphangitis, 

 laminitis and mastitis, but is not indicated in long continued fevers. 

 In any case, however, the selection of the drug should depend upon 

 the condition of the pulse. If it is of low tension, probably digitalis 

 is to be preferred, while if the tension is high, aconite might be 

 useful. 



Externally. Aconite is useful as an ointment or liniment, to 

 relieve pain of an inflammatory nature, as in rheumatism, sprains, 

 etc. 



Preparations and Administration. On account of the ex- 

 treme toxic action of aconitine, the tincture is commonly used. Any 

 preparation should be given frequently in small doses, at intervals of 

 an hour or less, until the desired action is procured. Then the doses 

 should be diminished or the intervals increased to maintain the 

 desired action. Aconitine is dangerous to use both on account of its 

 extreme toxic action and because preparations of it vary greatly. 

 The amorphous aconitine is much weaker than the crystalline and' a 

 change from it to the crystalline is very liable to result in death, 

 provided the dose has been the same. 



5 Fluidextracti Aconiti 40.0 



Linimenti Chloroformi 60.0 



M. Ft. Linimentum. 

 Sig. Apply as directed. 



Delphinum (larkspur) and staphisagria (stavesacre) are botani- 

 cally and pharmacologically related to aconite, but their use is 

 limited to the destruction of lice, as, 



5 Tincturse Delphini. 



Etheris aa. q. s. 

 M. 

 Sig. Apply as directed. 



