136 VETEEINAKT MATERIA MEDICA. 



tirely suspended, and the processes of respiration and 

 circulation are carried on only by the lower centres 

 in the medulla. If the inhalations of the ether vapor 

 are still continued after this, these lower centres 

 also become paralyzed, and death takes place by re- 

 spiratory arrest, the heart usually continuing its pul- 

 sations for a long time after respiration has ceased 

 (chloroform usually paralyzes the heart). In order 

 to produce general anaesthesia, the ether vapor should 

 be inhaled in a fairly concentrated form for from 

 three to ten minutes. Hypodermic injections of 

 atropine antagonize the toxic effects of ether more 

 effectually than any other known drug. 



Therapeutics.— Ether alone or combined with 

 chloroform and alcohol in varying proportions as a 

 general anaesthetic. Ether spray as a local anaes- 

 thetic ; internally — as an antispasmodic in both flatu- 

 lent and spasmodic colic, combined with other ano- 

 dynes and carminatives. Enemata of ether to allay 

 abdominal irritation; also to destroy rectal worms. 

 The same treatment is much favored by French vete- 

 rinarians in intussusception. In hepatic colic — ether 

 combined with turpentine, to act as a solvent for the 

 hepatic calculi ; as a prompt and powerful stimulant 

 in syncope or collapse — if from exhausting disease, 

 shock, or hemorrhage. In puerperal apoplexy in cat- 

 tle it is combined with alcohol or whiskey, and 

 when the patients are unable to swaUow it may be 

 given subcutaneously. In convalescence from ex- 

 hausting disease — combined with aromatics and bit- 

 ters, improves the appetite, strengthens the enfeebled 



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