l80 SYNOPSIS 01? VETERINARY 



When inhaled, it first causes irritation of the fauces, a sense 

 of strangulation and cough, then a stage of excitement, (cerebral 

 intoxication) in which the visible mucous membranes are flushed 

 and the respiration and pulse quickened ; a convulsive stage gen- 

 erally follows, with rigid muscles and respiration stertorous ; this 

 subsides and complete insensibility is established, the muscles 

 being relaxed and the reflexes abolished ; in fact all of the func- 

 tions of the body are suspended, except respiration and circula- 

 tion. 



If the inhalation be continued these too become paralyzed, 

 death usually resulting from slow paralysis of respiration; (chlo- 

 roform paralyzes quickly) the heart pulsating long after breath- 

 ing has ceased. Atropine hypodermically is the best antagonist 

 to the toxic effects of ether, also artificial respiration and injec- 

 tions of brandy. 



Medicinal Uses of Ether. — When mixed with alcohol, as in 

 the spirit, ether mixes readily with water. It is excellent in in- 

 digestion with flatulence; it checks gastric fermentation, expels 

 the gas and overcomes irregular and violent gastro-intestinal 

 movements ; hence, is also very good in spasmodic colic. In 

 spasmodic colic, best to combine with cannabis indica or bella- 

 donna. When used as a vermifuge it should be followed by a 

 purge. 



In sleepy staggers it may be injected hypodermically ; used di- 

 luted i to 10 to dislodge worms in the rectum. A most reliable 

 remedy in collapse. Ether and alcohol are indicated in parturient 

 paresis, ether with aq. ammonia may be used intravenously when 

 the cow is unable to swallow. Sulphuric ether and alcohol or whis- 

 key are also good in paturient eclampsia of bitches, though arom. 

 spts. of ammonia is better ; for chills, spts. of nitrous ether ; also 

 useful in convalescence from debilitating disease. Ether is a 

 very good agent in "Thumps." 



Ether may be used for local ansesthesia, applied as a spray, 

 from an atomizer, about i oz. usually being enough for the pain- 

 less opening of abscesses or fistutoe, but cocaine is better in our 

 animals. Ether combined with opium prevents the drying up 

 effects of opium. Ether is used in syncope and asthma. 



As an anesthetic it should be used in preference to chloro- 

 form, for the smaller and young animals, especially dogs, which 



