MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 165 



rates. Dogs, y 2 to 3 ms. internally, and 1 to 5 ms. by inhalation. 

 It is best used in thin glass capsules, called pearls, which are . 

 broken when required for inhalation. 



Actions. — It produces the following results : Accelerates 

 heart's action, greatly dilates the arterioles by paralyzing their 

 muscular coats ; causes a sense of fullness in the brain with ver- 

 tigo, fall in blood pressure due to dilation of the arterioles, low- 

 ering of temperature; when the vapor is applied direct to mus- 

 cular or nerve tissues it suspends or completely arrests its func- 

 tional activity ; it depresses the nervous system and unstriped 

 muscular fiber. It causes death by respiratory failure. 



Uses. — Epileptic attacks may be warded off by its being in- 

 haled ; spasmodic asthma, used either internally, hypodermically 

 or best by inhalation; in strychnine poisoning, angina pectoris, 

 in tetanus, and as a heart stimulant. 



SPIRITUS GLONOINI— SPIRIT OF GWNOIN. 



Synonyms. — Spirit of nitro-glycerin, Trinitrin, Propenyl 

 trinitrate, Glonoin trinitrate, and Trinitrate of Glyceryl. 



Properties. — This is an alcoholic solution containing one per 

 cent by weight, of nitro-glycerin. It is a clear colorless liquid, 

 possessing the odor and taste of alcohol and is not explosive un- 

 less it becomes concentrated by evaporation to an extent exceed- 

 ing 10 per cen^ 



Caution should be used in tasting it as even a small quantity 

 is liable to cause a violent headache. 



Dose. — Horse, 3 ss. to 3 j. ; dogs, }4 to 2 minims. It is ad- 

 ministered hypodermatically, intravenously, intratracheally or .by 

 the mouth according to the emergency of the case. 



It is very quickly absorbed from the mucous membrane of 

 the mouth or nostrils. 



For subcutaneous injection, j4 drachm is usually sufficient 

 and should be diluted with one or two parts of water. 



It may be repeated in 15 or 20 minutes if necessary, then 

 every hour or two if required, care should be exercised not to 

 repeat oftener than is necessary, or to give too large a dose as 

 violent headache is produced by the drug in animals as well as 

 in man. 



