STRYCHNINE / 303 



condition of muscles. Strychnine is said to ,be efficacious in the after- 

 treatment of cerebro-spinal meningitis of horses, and also in the para- 

 plegia of cattle (from parturient fever, and in the paraplegia coming on 

 before parturition in weak cows and not disappearing after labor) and 

 that of dogs resulting from various and often undiscovered causes. 

 Strychnine is serviceable in the paralysis of lead poisoning, and in that 

 form caused by traumatism or toxemia following influenza, distemper in 

 dogs, and rheumatism. When inj ected into the muscular tissue, the alka- 

 loid is believed to stimulate the peripheral nerves and muscular fibres, 

 and is employed with benefit in localized paralyses affecting groups of 

 muscles before atrophy has occurred, as in "roaring" in horses. 



Either retention or incontinence of urine, resulting from atony or 

 paralysis of the bladder, may be relieved by strychnine; also prolapse 

 of the rectum induced by similar causes. Strychnine has proved curative 

 in some cases of amaurosis, when injected in the region of the temple. 



3. Strychnine or nux vomica, associated with iron, quinine, and 

 arsenic, form the most generally satisfactory tonic combination for the 

 horse and dog, particularly with reference to the digestion. Atonic forms 

 of indigestion and constipation, the accompaniments of anemia, are those 

 amenable to the influence of the drug, which stimulates peristalsis, and 

 therefore hinders fermentation, prevents relaxation, and so over-secretion 

 from loss of vascular tone. 



Tonic for horse. 



^ . . .' 



Arseni trioxidi 5i. 



Pulveris nucis vomicae. 



Ferri sulphatis exsiccati aa Siv. 



M. Divide in chartulas No. xxx. 

 S. One powder on feed t. i. d. 



Tonic for dogs. 



Ferrl reducti. 



Quininae sulphatis. 



Pulveris nucis vomicae aa 3ss. 



M. et fiant pilulae No. xxx. 

 S. One pill t. i. d. 



Strychnine is a valuable remedy in overloaded rumen and omasum, 

 and chronic tympanitis of cattle; or in overloaded and impacted large 

 intestines of the horse. It should be given subcutaneously in these con- 

 ditions, and frequently in combination with pilocarpine, eserine or are- 

 coline. 



Constipation, and, on the other hand, diarrhea, are benefited by 

 strychnine when they are due to atony of the intestinal muscular coat. It 

 is more commonly in the former disorder that the drug finds its useful- 

 ness. The aloin, strychnine and belladonna pills, with cascara sagrada, 

 are useful in habitiial constipation in dogs, but the weaker formula, con- 

 taining gr. 1/120' of strychnine, should be employed. The value and 

 application of strychnine in anorexia and atonic digestive disorders has 

 been sufficiently treate-d above. 



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