CEREBRAL DEPRESSANTS. 125 



Dulcis, spirit of nitrous ether, sweet spirit of nitre. 

 An alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrite, containing five 

 per cent, of the crude ether. Dose: H., fl. §i.-iij. ; 

 D., mxv.-fl. 3i. 



Physiological Action.— Ether is a cardiac and 

 cerebral stimulant, anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphor- 

 etic, anthelmintic, ansesthetic, and a narcotic poison. 

 Given internally, it is one of the most powerful stim- 

 ulants to the secretions, especially to the salivary 

 glands, stomach, and pancreas. It is quickly ab- 

 sorbed from the stomach and intestines, but still 

 more rapidly if introduced as a vapor into the lungs 

 by inhalation, and acts very quickly upon the central 

 nervous system, nerve centres, and nerve endings. 

 Small doses stimulate ; larger doses, after a brief pe- 

 riod of stimulation, depress, paralyze, and ansesthetize 

 the centres of the brain and cord. It is eliminated 

 by all the secretory channels, stimulating them, and 

 in this way exerts its expectorant, diaphoretic, and 

 diuretic actions ; but the elimination for the most part 

 is accomplished by the lungs. If the vapor is in- 

 haled there is at first a slight irritation to the fauces, 

 sometimes causing cough, a feeling of strangulation 

 or constriction of the throat, and more or less cerebral 

 excitement or intoxication, during which time the 

 pulse and respirations are quickened. This is fol- 

 lowed by a period of slight tetanic convulsions, when 

 the muscles become rigid and the breathing stertor- 

 ous. This condition rapidly subsides, complete in- 

 sensibility is established, the muscles are relaxed, 

 reflexes are abolished, the cerebral functions are en- 



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