USES OF THE NITRITES 335 



abating fever. The following prescription may be of service in canine 

 practice in febrile conditions: 



Tine, aconiti 3iii. 



Spiritus aetheris nitrosi 3vi. 



Potassii bromidi §ss. 



Liq. Ammonii acetatis ad glv. 



M. 



Sig. Teaspoonful in water every 2 hours. 



In asthenic and febrile diseases, as influenza, sweet spirit of nitre 

 is of worth, combined with tonic doses of quinine and alcoholic stimulants. 

 In catarrhal troubles and distemper of dogs it is conjoined with spirit of 

 camphor. In colic of horses it is prescribed with laudanum. 



The nitrites are useful remedies in relieving dyspnea, when due to 

 spasm of the bronchial tubes, or congestion of the lungs. They relax the 

 bronchioles and avert congestion by vascular dilatation and equalization 

 of the circulation. Thus the dyspnea occurring in pneumonia, acute pul- 

 monary edema, asthma and chronic bronchitis, are advantageously treated, 

 by half-hourly or hourly doses of nitroglycerin. Amyl nitrite, in dilating 

 peripheral vessels, has proved of some value in hemoptysis. 



Cardiac Diseases. — These are comparatively rare in the lower ani- 

 mals ; but, in general, it may be said that no remedy is more useful for its 

 transient action in the severe dyspnea of cardiac diseases than nitro- 

 glycerin. The passing engorgement of the right heart and lungs is re- 

 lieved by nitroglycerin, which tends to distribute the blood about the body 

 in its proper channels, and thus take the load off the heart temporarily. 



Nervous Diseases. — Nitrite of amyl is invaluable in warding off epi- 

 leptic seizures in man, when warning of their approach is given the 

 patient. As this warning cannot be detected in the lower animals, the 

 nitrites are of less value, but may be combined with the bromides as 

 prophylactic agents. The nitrites may prevent cerebral vasomotor spasm, 

 which is thought to occur in epilepsy, Amyl nitrite is useful in relieving 

 hiccough or "thumps" in horses, and in strychnine poisoning. 



Diseases, of Urinary Organs. — Spirit of nitrous ether is useful as a 

 diuretic in carnivora, when the urine is concentrated and irritating to the 

 bladder. It is also serviceable, for the same reason, in acute cystitis of 

 all animals, when it may be combined to advantage with potassium citrate, 

 or acetate, and tincture of aconite. 



Summary. — We may summarize the therapeutical indications for the 

 nitrites as follows: 



1. To dilate peripheral arterioles and equalize the circulation in 

 internal congestions. 



2. To relieve spasm of vascular, nervous, or muscular origin. 



3. To increase the secretion of urine. 



Administration. — Sweet spirit of nitre is given by the mouth, diluted 

 with water, and often combined with alcoholic stimulants (whisky), 

 diaphoretics (liq. ammon. acetatis), diuretics (potassium nitrate), and 

 bitters (quinine). 



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