AMMONIA 361 



Doses. One half those of Aqua Ammoniae. 

 * 8piritus Ammonice. Spirits of Ammonia,. 



Spirits of ammonia is an alcoholic solution containing 10 per 

 cent, of ammonia. 



Spiritus Ammonice Aromaticus. Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia 

 consists of ammonia water 90 mils, ammonium carbonate 34 grams, 

 alcohol 700 mils, essential oils and water to make 1000 mils. 



Doses. H. § ss— iij; 15.— 90. D. 1T\, v— Ix; 0.3—4. 



Linimentum Ammonice, Ammonia Liniment. Ammonia water 

 250, sesame oil 750. 



External Action. Ammonia is a powerful irritant to the skin 

 but differs from the fixed alkalies in not being corrosive or per- 

 sistent in action. Furthermore it does not dissolve the epidermis 

 but passes through it and forms blisters. On account of this action 

 it is often used as a counterirritant. 



Digestive System. Like other alkalies, ammonia serves to 

 neutralize any free acid that may be in the stomach and in dilute 

 solution is carminative. 



Circulatory System. Ammonia produces a transient elevation 

 of blood pressure when inhaled or administered per os due entirely 

 to reflex stimulation of the heart and vasomotor center through irri- 

 tation of the gastric or nasal mucous membranes. The blood pres- 

 sure is also raised if the drug is injected subcutaneously in moderate 

 doses but in this case there is probably some direct action upon the 

 vasomotor center as well as reflex action. 



Sometimes a temporary slowing of the heart is observed due to 

 stimulation of the vagus center. 



Respiratory System. Moderate doses increase the depth and 

 volume of the respirations by reflex stimulation of the respiratory 

 center. This action is very marked when the drug is inhaled. 



Excretion. Ammonia undergoes very rapid changes in the 

 body and is consequently very transient in action. It differs from 

 the fixed alkalies in not adding to the alkalinity of the tissues because 

 it is transformed into urea soon after its absorption and is eliminated 

 as such. 



Therapeutics. Ammonia is employed as a rapid acting cardiac 

 and respiratory stimulant, as an antacid, carminative and counter- 

 irritant. 



It is a valuable stimulant in shock and other sudden heart or 

 respiratory failures. It may be given by inhalation, hypodermatic 

 injection, intratracheally or per os. 



It is very useful as an antacid and carminative in various forms 



* Unofficial. 



