PHYSOSTIGMINE 309 



lating the unstriated muscles of the alimentary canal. In obstinate con- 

 stipation of horses it is particularly useful; eserine sulphate being given 

 subcutaneously or intravenously with pilocarpine sulphate; the latter to 

 increase the intestinal secretions. Strychnine sulphate may be added to 

 counter act the depressing action of eserine on the respiratory centres 

 and inferior cornua. For a horse with obstinate constipation or impaction 

 of the bowels. 



Physostigminae sulphatis gr.i. 



Pilocarpinae hydrochloridae gr.iii. 



Strychninas sulphatis gr.ss. 



Aquae destillatae 3i. 



M. 



Slg. Give at once subcutaneously. 



Physostigmine, in combination with pilocarpine, is serviceable for its 

 speedy action in ilatulent colic and impaction of the cecum, colon, and 

 rectum in horses, and has been employed to expel calculi and foreign 

 bodies from the intestines. 



Physostigmine is contraindicated in spasmodic colic, when it may 

 increase the trouble by exciting intense peristaltic contractions. Its 

 employment is also attended with some danger in overloaded or greatly 

 distended stomach or bowels, in view of possible rupture of these organs. 

 In pregnant animals it may produce abortion. The drug, like other 

 purgatives, may aggravate the damage produced by twist or intussuscep- 

 tion. In twist of the pelvic flexure of the colon in the horse, commonly 

 mistaken for enteritis, eserine is often life-saving and the remedy at our 

 command. 



In atonic conditions of the stomach and bowels, and in indigestion 

 due to chronic intestinal catarrh, small and repeated doses of eserine are 

 sometimes of benefit. In cattle, eserine (gr.-i.) and pilocarpine (gr.-iii.) 

 subcutaneously are of great value in tympanites and impaction of the 

 rumen and omasum, in acute gastritis, and in parturient apoplexy, to 

 quickly empty the digestive canal. Eserine is sometimes given subcutane- 

 ously to foals (gr. 1/12-1/6) for retention of meconium. It is effective 

 in obstinate constipation of dogs given by the mouth (gr. 1/60-1/12) in 

 pill, twice daily. 



Eserine has been employed in chronic bronchitis, asthma and em- 

 physema, to improve the tone of the bronchial mucous membranes and 

 expel secretions. 



3. Eserine is one of the drugs commonly used in the treatment of 

 tetanus in human and veterinary practice, with only a moderate degree 

 of success. It must be employed early, given every three or four hours, 

 and pushed to the physiological limit. Chorea and epilepsy have been 

 treated with eserine without any pathological basis, as far as epilepsy 

 is concerned, and with little therapeutic advantage in either instance. In 

 some cases of paraplegia, resulting from myelitis, a favorable effect has 

 been obtained in man. Eserine is an appropriate purgative (hypoder- 

 matically) in acute meningitis. Eserine has been used in strychnine 



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