DRUGS ACTING ON THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 41 



(6) DRUGS THINNING SECRETION. 



Sodium bicarbonate 3ss. 



Solution of lime, undiluted. 



Ammonium chloride 3ss. 



Vinegar §ii. 



Lactic acid §i. 



Uses. — Inhalations are often beneficial in the treatment of coryza, 

 pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. In the first stage of 

 catarrhal inflammation of the upper air passages, antiseptics may cut 

 short the attack. Simple steaming with vinegar or sodium bicarbonate 

 moistens and soothes the dry, irritable mucous membrane and relieves 

 congestion by promoting secretion. In the exudative stage, agents stimu- 

 lating the respiratory mucous membrane and making the secretions less 

 viscid are in order. If the mucous or purulent discharges are excessive, 

 astringent sprays or inhalations are useful; and if they are foul-smelling, 

 drugs combining stimulant and antiseptic actions may be employed. In- 

 halations may be given by means of a bronchitis kettle, or by atomization 

 to small animals. Care must be exercised that too large a quantity of 

 the solution be not used lest absorption and poisoning ensue. Dogs may 

 be placed over the perforated seat of a cane-bottomed chair with the 

 steaming apparatus underneath. 



A hot brick is sometimes employed to give inhalations to horses by 

 dropping it into a pail containing the proper solution. The head should 

 not usually be covered during inhalation if the breathing is embarrassed 

 or the respiratory tract obstructed, since fresh air is imperative. Simple 

 steaming may be conducted for an hour. Inhalations containing special 

 drugs may be given for fifteen minutes. 



(B) Drugs Acting Systemically. 

 Expectorants are agents which influence the bronchial mucous mem- 

 brane and its secretion. They aid or hinder expectoration in man, but 

 are much less efficient in this respect in veterinary medicine, because the 

 act of expectoration is performed with difficulty by the lower animals. 

 Nevertheless, expectorants are useful in altering the character of the 

 secretion and lessening the irritation caused by dry, tenacious discharges, 

 and in stimulating the mucous membranes and improving their circulation 

 and nutrition. Moreover, some drugs (volatile oils) exert an antiseptic 

 action on the bronchial mucous membrane during their elimination. Many 

 expectorants act reflexly from an irritant action on the stomach. Thus 

 Henderson and Taylor have shown this to be the case with ipecac, ammo- 

 nium compounds, antimony and senega. 



Expectorants. 



(1) INCREASING SECRETION. 



Apomorphine Ammonium chloride Turpentine 



Potassium iodide Squill Terpin hydrate 



Ipecac Camphor Terebene 



Pilocarpine Balsams Volatile oils 



Antimony and potas- Sulphur 



sium tartrate Tar 



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