MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS, 21 



Both hypnotics and narcotics relieve pain. 



Anodynes or Analgesics. — Relieve pain by diminishing the 

 excitability of nerves or nerve centers. 



They act directly on the cerebral centers or impair the con- 

 ductivity of the sensory nerve trunks, as chloral hydrate, can- 

 nabis indica, bromides, opium, etc. 



Local Anodynes. — Are those that control pain by acting lo- 

 cally, or in other words, by impairing the conductivity of the 

 sensory nerves and are used locally, as cocaine, opium, bella- 

 donna, heat, cold, etc. 



Antispasmodics. — Prevent or remove spasmodic contractions 

 of voluntary or involuntary muscles, as the bromides, chloral, 

 belladonna, sulphuric ether, etc. 



Anaesthetics. — Are agents which diminish and abolish sensa- 

 tion. (Local or general.) 



General Anaesthetics. — Produce a state of temporary insen- 

 sibility. 



Local Anaesthetics. — Produce temporary loss of local or cir- 

 cumscribed sensation by paralyzing sensory nerves. 



The condition they bring about is termed anaesthesia. 



Anaesthetics are allied to anodynes but act more promptly 

 and profoundly. 



The most important, are the general anaesthetics which are 

 inhaled and carried in the blood to the brain and spinal cord, 

 where they paralyze the centers, produce muscular relaxation, 

 and finally cause entire suspension of sensation and power of 

 motion, together with loss of consciousness, and manifestation of 

 life, except respiration and circulation. 



They comprise ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide gases, and 

 others. 



With animals ether and chloroform are almost entirely used 

 for general and cocaine or eucaine for local anaesthesia, ether for 

 dogs, chloroform for horses. 



The A. C. E. Mixture is composed of alcohol i part, chloro- 

 form 2 parts, and ether 3 parts. 



The E. C. mixture, equal parts of chloroform and ether, is 

 used in Germany and France. 



The Austrian government uses chloroform 1 part and ether 



