MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 37 



Antiphlogistic s. — Include all measures and medicines which 

 reduce inflammation either local or general. 



.POISONS AND ANTIDOTES. 



Antidotes. — Are agents which counteract the effects of a 

 poison and render it inert. — They are divided into : 



1. Chemical, which change the composition of the drug. 



2. Mechanical, which surround the drug, preventing its ab- 

 sorption, or protecting the tissues from its action. 



3. Physiological, drugs administered with a directly opposite 

 action to that of the poison, to antagonize its action, viz. : 



1. For iodine we would give starch, which would form 

 the iodide of starch, this is insoluble and inert. Give acids for 

 alkalies and vice versa ; examples of chemical antidote. 



2. For corrosive drugs such as corrosive sublimate and other 

 metallic and corrosive drugs, give white of eggs or any demulcent, 

 wash out stomach, etc. ; examples of mechanical antidote, 



3. Examples of physiological antidotes, for strychnine, give 

 chloral hydrate, for aconite give digitalis and other heart stimu- 

 lants, for digitalis give aconite, tannin, etc. 



Tannin is the great antidote for vegetable poisons, it precipi- 

 tates their active principles and forms the tannate of the respective 

 alkaloids, rendering it insoluble and thus more or less innocuous, 

 this should be followed by linseed oil to remove it, for the animal 

 that can vomit, give an emetic and follow with the physiological 

 antidote to combat the poison which may have been absorbed. 



For Poisonous Gas. — Fresh air, inhalations of steam, artificial 

 respiration, together with stimulants and intravenous injections 

 of ammonia. 



For Carbolic Acid. — Alcohol, vinegar, internally and locally. 



ANTAGONISTS AND INCOMPATIBLES. 



Antagonists. — Are agents which counteract each other either 

 wholly or partially. 



Incompatibles. — That relation between medicines which ren- 

 ders their admixture unsuitable, this may be either chemical, 

 physiological or pharmaceutical. 



