152 DEPRESSANTS TO CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 



* Chloralf ormamidum (chloralamide) is a compound of chloral 

 and formamide which splits into its constituents in the blood. It 

 occurs as colorless, lustrous crystals, without odor, and having a 

 somewhat bitter taste. Soluble in 18.T parts of water, and in 1.3 

 parts of alcohol. Readily soluble in ether, glycerin, acetone, and 

 acetic ether. Its hypnotic action is due to the chloral but it is be- 

 lieved that the formamide renders it less dangerous to the heart and 

 vasoconstrictor center. 



Sulphonmethanum Sulphonal, sulphonethylmethanum Trional 

 and diethysulphonediethymethane Tetronal are compounds of ethyl 

 with sulphur (sulphones) and differ from each other only in con- 

 taining two, three and four molecules of ethyl respectively. They 

 are crystalline bodies, not very soluble in water. They have been 

 introduced as substitutes for chloral hydrate but are of no importance 

 in veterinary medicine. Average dose for dogs, 12 grains (0.75). 



* Veronal (diethymalonylurea or diethyl-barbituric acid) occurs 

 as a white, crystalline, odorless, slightly bitter powder, slightly solu- 

 ble in water, more readily so in alcohol. The action is similar to 

 trional. It usually causes sleep in man, which results promptly and 

 lasts several hours, but the depression may persist much longer. It 

 is not used in veterinary medicine. Average dose, dog, 5 grains 

 (0.3). 



* Bromural (monobromiso-valeryianyl-urea) resembles veronal 

 but is less active. 



Urethane (scthylis carbamas U. S. P.) occurs as colorless, 

 columnar crystals or scales, odorless and having a cooling saline 

 taste. Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, chloroform and glycerin. It 

 is a mild hypnotic and diuretic. Decomposes in the body to urea. 

 Average dose for dog, 1 dram (4.0). 



* Hedonal (methylpropylcarbinol-urethane) occurs as a white 

 powder sparingly soluble in water but readily soluble in other or- 

 ganic solvents, and of faint aromatic odor and taste. This appears 

 to have a greater hypnotic effect than urethane, but is also unre- 

 liable. Average dose for dogs, 15 grains (1 gm.). Federoff (1910) 

 recommended it as an intravenous anesthetic. Page (1912) recom- 

 mended a solution of 0.75 per cent, in normal saline given at the 

 rate of 150 mils per minute, adult dose (in human), 500 mils; 

 while Veale (1912) used it in quantities up to 1200 mils but found 

 larger amounts dangerous, causing edema of skin and lungs, bron- 

 chitis and pneumonia. 



CANNABIS 



Synonym. Hemp. Indican Cannabis 

 Parts Used. The dried flowering tops of the pistulate plants 

 of Cannabis Sativa, Linne, or of the variety indica, Lamarckj 



* UnofiBcial. 



