152 SYNOPSIS OF VETERINARY 



in. Squibbs' preparation is good and represents the power of the 

 drug. — It is ten times stronger than ergot. Made by evaporating 

 the fluid extract to a pilular consistence. 



Dose. — Horses and cattle, 3 ss. to oij. ; sheep and swine, 5 

 grs. to 10 grs. ; dogs, 2 to 5 grs. Hypodermatically give y 2 these 

 doses. 



ERGOTOLE. — (Sharp & Dohme manufacturers) is 2 l / 2 times 

 stronger than the fluid extract; is non-irritant and can be used 

 hypodermically. Dose.- — Horse, 1 to 3 drs. ; dogs, 5 to 30 ms. 



Ergot deteriorates with age and should not be used if over 

 a year old. 



Antagonists and Incompatibles. — The caustic alkalies and 

 metallic salts are chemically incompatible ; aconite, veratrum 

 viride, tobacco and amyl nitrite antagonize the action of ergot on 

 the circulation. 



Synergist. — Electricity, cold, digitalis, and belladonna are 

 synergistic as regards the vascular system ; savin, rue and gossyp- 

 ium increase its parturient action. 



Physiological Actions. — It is a powerful excito-motor, 

 haemostatic, gastro-intestinal irritant, and ecbolic. It stimulates 

 and contracts involuntary muscular fibers, and hence diminishes 

 the blood stream passing through the arterioles ; large and con- 

 tinued doses produce ergotism, which is virtually gangrene, clue 

 to lack of blood supply to the parts. 



Toxicology. — In large or long continued doses, or in animals 

 eating ergotized grain ; it causes poisoning, which is known as 

 Ergotism. This is characterized by gastro-intestinal derange- 

 ment, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, in animals capable of 

 emesis, and from the impaired circulation and nutrition, affecting 

 different areas, subsequently assumes two forms, first dry gan- 

 grene, chiefly involving the extremities, (hoofs, ears and tail 

 may slough), or second, nervous symptoms, such as tetanoid 

 spasms, inco-ordinate spasms, and sometimes epileptiform con- 

 vulsions occur, the latter supposed to be due to irritation and 

 paralysis of the sensory centers or spinal cord ; there will also be 

 difficult micturition. 



Toxic symptoms are not so marked in horses, cattle and 

 sheep, as in man and dogs; abortion from eating ergotted 



