QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 303 



What preparations of arsenic are most used in veterinary medicine? 

 Arsenous acid, iodide of arsenic, Fowler's solution, and Pearson's 

 solution. 



Give the actions and the uses of arsenic. 



Arsenic is a gastro-intestinal and respiratory tonic, a stimulant 

 and alterative, acting especially on the digestive and respiratory 

 mucous membrane and the skin. It is an antiperiodic, also anti- 

 spasmodic in nervous diseases, and is a nervine tonic. It increases 

 the cardiac action, respiratory power, and secretion of the intestines ; 

 also has a vermicidal action. 



Uses : General tonic after debilitating diseases, especially pneu- 

 monia, pleurisy, and bronchitis; intestinal worms, chronic cough 

 (heaves). Used in anaemia, chorea, chronic eczema, and periodically 



returning fevers. 



* 



How should a course of arsenic be administered so as to avoid chronic 

 arsenical poisoning? 

 Begin with very small amounts and gradually increase the dose 

 until the physiological limit is reached (oedema and itching of the 

 eyelids), then gradually decrease the dose. Do not leave off the 

 administration abruptly. A tolerance for the drug can be acquired 

 so that large doses may be given with impunity. 



Describe the actions of arecoline hydrobromide and give the dose for 

 the horse. 

 Arecoline hydrobromide increases salivation and intestinal 

 secretions ; stimulates peristalsis, slows and softens the pulse. It is 

 used as a quick-acting cathartic in colics and acute laminitis in 

 doses of 14 to % grain subcutaneously, repeated in 20 minutes. A 

 single dose of 1 to 1%, grains subcutaneously is given by some, but 

 fractional doses are safer. 



Name the iodine compounds and give their actions and uses. 



Liquor iodi compositus (Lugol's solution), ammonium iodide, 

 sodium iodide, and potassium iodide are given internally; tincture 

 of iodine and iodoform are used externally. 



Actions: Externally, stimulant, irritant, and vesicant; if used 

 concentrated, antiseptic, resolvent, parasiticide, deodorizer, and dis- 

 infectant. Internally, alterative, resolvent, deobstruent, and ex- 

 pectorant ; stimulates glandular activity and promotes tissue changes 

 as well as the absorption and elimination of recently formed tissue 

 and diseased cells. Forms insoluble compounds with lead, mercury, 

 and other metals and hastens their removal in cases of poisoning. 



