SANTONINUM — SANTONIN 277 



thing appears to have a yellow color. Santonin is excreted by the 

 kidneys and intestines. Small doses impart a yellow color to the 

 normal urine and in some pathological conditions, with a strongly 

 alkaline urine, as in cystitis, may produce such a deep color as to 

 suggest hematuria. 



Large doses are dangerous and may be fatal. The symptoms 

 are quite uniform in animals so that only those seen in the dog will 

 be described. The first distinct symptom in this animal is a twitch- 

 ing of the muscles of the head, followed by rolling of the eyes, grind- 

 ing of teeth, rotation of the head, together with flexion and extension 

 of the neck. Later epileptiform convulsions occur with the body 

 first in opisthotonus, followed by clonic spasms of the limbs and 

 trunk. Intermittent with the spasms are periods of rest during 

 which a peculiar contraction of all the muscles may be seen. The 

 respirations are disturbed during the convulsions and asphyxia may 

 occur in fatal cases. Temporary blindness may follow (Cushny). 



Treatment. Empty the stomach with an emetic or stomach 

 pump, then administer large doses of epsom salts. Control the con- 

 vulsions with ether or chloroform. 



Therapeutics. Santonin is used almost entirely as a remedy 

 for round worms in the dog and cat, as its price prohibits its use to 

 any extent in the large animals. The bowels should be emptied be- 

 fore its administration and the drug should be followed by a purga- 

 tive to carry out the sick worms. Calomel is frequently adminis- 

 tered with santonin as it is believed to increase the action of that 

 drug. Others recommend its use with castor oil. 



The following prescriptions are representative of its use: 



For Dogs. 



1^0. 1. 



IJ Santonini 0.3' 



Olei Olivse 50.0 



Solvi Leni Calore. 



Sig. Teaspoonful for small. Tablespoonful for large, 3 or 4 times 

 daily. 



^"0. 2. 



B Santonini. 



Hydrargyri Ohioridi Mitis aa. gr. ss 



M. Ft. Pillule. 



Sig. One tablet every 3 hours for 3 doses, followed by a dose of 

 castor oil. 



No. 3. For Hogs. 



IJ Santonini grs. viij 



Hydrargyri Chloridi Mitis grs. v 



M. et Ft. Pulveris. For 100 pounds of swine. 

 Sig. IVfiy well with the feed, give two doses daily for two days, then 

 skip a few days and repeat. 



