MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS* 



Define (a) materia medica, (b) therapeutics. 



(a) Materia medica treats of the derivation, natiaral history, 

 physical and chemical properties, physiological actions, doses and 

 tests of purity of drugs. 



(b) Therapeutics is that branch of knowledge which treats of 

 the application of all means — medicinal or otherwise — to the cure 

 of disease or relief of pain. 



By what modes are medicines introduced into the organism? 



1. By intravenous injection. 



2. By inhalation. 



3. By subcutaneous injection. 



4. By intratracheal injection. • 



5. By the mouth (orally). 



6. By the rectum. 



7. By inunction. 



Compare as to size of dose and length of time required for action, the 

 following modes of administering medicine : (a) by mouth, 

 (b) by rectum, (c) by intravenous injection, (d) by hypo- 

 dermic injection. 



(a) One-half the rectal dose, four to six times the intravenous 

 dose, and twice the hypodermic dose. Absorption more rapid than 

 from the rectum and slower than by intravenous and hypodermic 

 methods. 



(b) Twice the oral dose. Absorption is slower and more imper- 

 fect than by the mouth. 



(c) One-half to one-third the hypodermic and one-fourth to one- 

 sixth the oral dose. Absorption immediate. 



(d) One-half the oral dose. Absorption quicker than all others 

 except the intravenous method. 



This comparison is made with alkaloidal drugs, as they are the 

 ones usually given intravenously and subcutaneously. 



What is meant by synergistic remedial agents? Describe fully. 



Agents which assist or intensify the action of others. Belladonna 

 promotes the action of nux vomica, mercury and the iodides favor 



* Unless otherwise stated all questions relate to the horse. 



297 



