206 SYNOPSIS OF VETERINARY 



Dose of eserine for horses, (hypodermically or intratrache- 

 ally) i to i y 2 , up to 2 grs. in great emergencies; cattle, I to 3 

 grs. ; dogs, 1-100 to i : 50 gr., up to 1-25 gr. for very large dogs; 

 the salicylate is said to keep better than the sulphate. 



Eserine sulphate can be obtained in sealed glass tubes con- 

 taining 1, i l /> and 2 grs. ; this is the best form in which to carry 

 it as it cannot spoil and it can be depended on, it is thus put 

 up by Merck & Co. 



Tablets are more or less unreliable and when a bottle or tube 

 containing the drug is once opened, it rapidly spoils. The tubes 

 containing ij4 grains are the best for general purposes, and are 

 thoroughly reliable. 



Antagonists and Incompatibles. — Vegetable astringents, tan- 

 nic acid, and caustic alkalies are chemically incompatible. 



Physiologically. — Atropine antagonizes in part its action ; 

 chloral more so. 



Therapeutically. — The tetanizing agents are opposed to phy- 

 sostigma. 



Synergists. — The paralyzers or depressors of the motor ner- 

 vous system ; conium, gelsemium, amyl nitrite, etc., increase its 

 effects. 



Physiological Actions. — Physostigma is a muscular stimu- 

 lant and a direct spinal paralyzer, producing complete general 

 paralysis and abolishment of the reflexes, but does not affect mus- 

 cular irritability, or the brain. 



It stimulates secretion in general, excites nausea and vomit- 

 ing, and is laxative or purgative by stimulating the muscular coat 

 of the intestines, as well as by increasing the intestinal secre- 

 tions. It first lowers then raises arterial tension, increases heart 

 beat in frequency, but depresses the power of the cardiac muscles, 

 though not destroying it. Small doses stimulate the heart. It 

 produces in toxic doses, dyspnoea by a tetanic action on the 

 respiratory muscles, causing carbonic acid gas poisoning and 

 death by paralysis of respiration ; it contracts the pupil, is then 

 myotic and lessens intraocular tension. It is eliminated bv the 

 kidneys, the urine of affected animals poisoning another. In 

 pregnant animals it may cause abortion. As a cathartic eserine 

 usually acts in about one hour, if anodynes have not preceded 

 its .use. 



