MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 227 



the needle should be sterilized and the air expelled from the 

 syringe by pressing the piston until the liquid starts to flow from 

 the needle. 



It should not be injected under the skin as it will raise a 

 large, and very painful swelling, which may slough and the drug 

 is inactive as a cathartic when used in this manner. 



On the whole I advise against the use of the drug; while it 

 is highly satisfactory in some cases, in others it produces some 

 very unlooked for and unpleasant results, i. e., extreme colicky 

 pains, mu'scular twitchings and spasms, great weakness, pulse be- 

 coming almost imperceptible ; sometimes % the horse will recover 

 from this condition, occasionally he dies rather suddenly and again 

 he may become prostrated and lie almost lifeless, though per- 

 fectly conscious, for several days and then die. 



Post-mortem shows extreme engorgement of the blood vessels 

 of the intestines, with more or less inflammation. 



The toxic symptoms described are not those of excessively 

 large doses, but have occurre'd as a result of medicinal doses (}/? 

 to 2 drachms). 



To combat the toxic symptoms, one must commence early 

 and administer stimulants, such as alcohol, sulphuric ether and 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia, these may be combined and given 

 in one ounce doses of each; in addition special heart stimulants 

 may be required, preferably a I per cent solution of nitroglycerin 

 in i to 2 drachm doses per os or hypodermatically, or Tincture 

 Strophanthus or Digitalis. 



On the whole as a quick cathartic, Eserine is a much safer 

 and more reliable drug. 



ENEMAS— INJECTIONS. 



For impaction of the bowels and flatulence ; 



Most common, hot water and soapsuds; some use an infu- 

 sion of tobacco; turpentine and hot water, (horses, 2 "to 4 ozs. ; 

 dogs, 1 to 4 drs. of turpentine added to hot water) but 1 .or 2 ozs. 

 of glycerin is superior to either, (dogs, 1 or 2 dfs.) pure or diluted 

 one-half ; it attracts moisture to the parts and stimulates peristal- 

 sis ; in small animals hot oil is sometimes used. 



For rectal worms see quassia, tr. iron and soda chlor. 



