MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. I»I 



are easily killed by chloroform. Ether is less prompt in action 

 but much safer than chloroform, as it never paralyzes a healthy 

 heart; it should be inhaled in as concentrated a form as possible, 

 very little air being allowed, so it will exert its effects quickly; 

 in dogs it acts in from 5 to 10 minutes according to the struggles 

 of the dog ; a light or fire of any kind should not be allowed near, 

 as ether is very inflammable and its vapors explosive. For an- 

 aesthetic purposes use Squibbs' ether. Always have a bottle of 

 aq. ammonia fort, at hand as a rouser. 



CHLOROFORMUM— CHLOROFORM. 



Synonyms. — Chloroformum purifkatum, purified chloroform. 



A liquid containing at least 99 per cent by weight of abso- 

 lute chloroform, and not more than 1 per cent of alcohol. 



Properties.— It is a heavy, clear, colorless, diffusive liquid, of 

 characteristic pleasant ethereal odor, a burning, sweet taste, and 

 a neutral reaction ; its specific gravity is twice that of ether, solu- 

 ble in about 200 parts of water, in all proportions of alcohol or 

 ether, also in benzol, benzine, fixed and volatile oils. 



It is not inflammable or explosive, but its vapor when ex- 

 posed to a naked flame undergoes decomposition with the forma- 

 tion of noxious, irritating and dangerous gases, chiefly chlorine. 



These vapors may cause the death of the patient. 



Chloroform is a solvent for fats, resins, oils, balsams, gutta 

 percha, wax and most of the alkaloids. 



Dose — as stimulant, anodyne and antispasmodic. — Horses or 

 cattle, 1 to 2 drs. ; sheep or swine, 20 to 40 ms. ; dogs, 2 to 15 ms. 

 Should be well diluted with syrup, glycerin, mucilage, eggs or 

 diluted alcohol ; repeat every two or three hours. 



For Anesthesia. — If the animal can be thoroughly confined 

 and a proper inhaler used, one or »two ounces for horses is 

 enough to produce anaesthesia, but always have a large amount 

 on hand to maintain the anaesthetic condition ; sheep and pigs, 

 y 2 to 1 oz. 



In administering chloroform admit a large quantity of air, 

 about 10 volumes for horses, for large dogs 1000 parts air and for 

 small dogs 3000 to 4000 parts of air to 1 part chloroform, 



