374 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Indications for the Internal Use of Oijium 



1. To relieve pain and spasm. 



2. To lessen secretions and peristalsis. 



3. To allay motor excitement, diminish muscular action, and cough, 

 and prevent hemorrhage. 



4. To abort inflammation. 



5. To act as a stimulating and supporting agent. 



The sudorific action of the drug upon the lower animals is slight 

 and comparatively unimportant. Among the preceding indications the 

 first three naturally follow fronq, the physiological action of opium, while 

 the latter two are deduced solely from clinical experience. 



1. Although the anodyne and sedative action of opium is not so 

 marked in its influence upon veterinary patients as in human subjects, 

 yet it is by far the most valuable agent we possess for relieving pain of 

 any description, particularly when combined with atropine. In spas- 

 modic colic of horses, opium arrests pain by preventing irregular and 

 violent peristaltic action. It may be given as morphine (with atropine), 

 subcutaneously ; or as laudanum, in a drench, simultaneously with an 

 aloes ball. In this affection opium actually assists the action of the 

 purgative by overcoming spasm. 



Anodyne in colic in horses. 



Tincturae opii Sii. 



Aetheris gi- 



Chloroformi 3i. 



M. 



S. Give at one dose in pint of cold water, and fol- 

 low with physic ball. 



Pain directly antagonizes the effect of opium, and repetition of the 

 dose is both justifiable and necessary until relief is obtained. Hypo- 

 dermic medication is therefore safer when the dose has to be repeated, 

 in enabling the practitioner to decide that failure to relieve pain is due 

 to insufficient dosage rather than to delayed absorption from the digest- 

 ive canal. 



Opium is indicated in all forms of pain and in motor excitement in 

 cerebritis and meningitis. The pains and spasmodic contractions re- 

 sulting from acute or traumatic meningitis are benefited by opium; also 

 neuralgic and rheumatic pains. The spasms of eclampsia and tetanus 

 are eased when opium is combined with chloral in enema, or when mor- 

 phine is injected subcutaneously. The injection of morphine under the 

 skin may prove antidotal in strychnine poisoning. Five grains saved a 

 collie dog which had supposedly received a fatal dose of strychnine. 

 Clonic spasm of the diaphragm in horses ("thumps") is also treated 

 successfully with opium. Morphine hypodermically is useful in asthma 

 in dogs. 



The subcutaneous use of morphine sulphate (gr.ss-i) in dogs 30 

 minutes before ope;ration is of the greatest service in causing easy ether 

 anesthesia and permitting the use of the minimum amount of ether 



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