USES OF EMETICS 225 



pecially if luke warm may serve this purpose and on this account it is 

 frequently used as an adjuvant to other more powerful agents. 



Although it is impossible to group emetics with exactness, the fol- 

 lowing classification may be made: 



A^ Local Emetics. Reflex. This group includes all the salts 

 and especially the metallic ones: zinc and copper sulphate, tartar 

 emetic, ammonium carbonate, alum, ipecac, senega, mustard. 



B. General or Direct: Apomorphine. 



Uses of Emetics. 



1. To produce the nauseant stage. 



2. To produce emesis. 



1. (a) The nauseant stage is used principally in the treatment 

 of inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract, to increase the 

 secretions or remove them, especially the mucous secretions from the 

 air passages. They are useful when the secretions are scanty or 

 thick and difficult to remove and are given in small doses repeated 

 every two or three hours. 



This is the only practical use of emetics in solipeds and other 

 large animals, as horses do not vomit and cattle are not very sus- 

 ceptible to them. However, they are occasionally used in cattle prac- 

 tice to stimulate contractions of the rumen and even to cause emesis. 



(b) In licking disease of cattle, wool eating in sheep, feather 

 pulling in fowls and other cases of depraved appetites, emetics may 

 be useful. 



2. (a) To remove irritant food or poisons from the stomach, 

 (b) To expel foreign bodies, false membranes or excessive secre- 

 tions from the upper air passages. 



(e) To expel mucus and bile from the gall ducts in catarrhal 

 jaundice by causing pressure on the liver. There is considerable 

 doubt in regard to the efficacy of this treatment as the intestines are 

 ■compressed and an overdistended liver might be ruptured. 



Contraindications. 



1. Advanced pregnancy: abortion may be produced. 



2. Very weak animals. 



3. Hernia: may aggravate condition or tendency toward hernia. 



4. Ulcers and inflammation of stomach. 



5. Retention of urine : may rupture bladder. 



6. Caustic poisoning : may rupture the weakened walls. 

 Methods of Producing Emesis. 1. Tickling the fauces with a 



feather or running the finger down the throat is not usually effective 

 when the stomach is normal but may be sufficient if it is irritable. A 

 large draft of luke warm water may serve as an emetic in cases of 

 irritable stomach but this is usually employed as an adjuvant to 

 other emetics like mustard. (Mustard and water.) 



