CROTON OIL 413 



notably augment the intestinal secretions — but not that of bile — and to a 

 degree peristalsis. The drug may act in half an hour, but usually within 

 a few hours, and purgation is attended with colicky pain and griping. 

 The movements are very fluid and sometimes contain blood. Crotou oil 

 is therefore a drastic hydragogue cathartic. The purgative action is 

 probably due in part to direct irritation of the intestinal mucous mem- 

 brane; in part to absorption and elimination of the purgative principle 

 by the bowels. 



Toxicology. — Ten drops of croton oil will kill a dog unless vomiting 

 occurs. Eight to thirty drops prove fatal to a horse, intravenusly. The 

 treatment of poisoning includes the use of emetics or stomach tube, de- 

 mulcents and opium. 



Administration. — Croton oil may be placed on the tongue of an un- 

 conscious animal, in. a small quantity of linseed oil, olive oil, or lard. The 

 oil can also be given in enema with a pint of linseed oil. It may be ex- 

 hibited to dogs in pill, castor oil, or rubbed up with a little butter and 

 smeared on the back of the tongue. Croton oil (in a pint of linseed oil) 

 is valuable in assisting the action of salts in obstinate constipation of 

 cattle. It may be administered to horses (nXx), when a powerful deriva- 

 tive and purgative action is indicated, as in acute inflammation of the 

 brain and cord, with calomel and aloes in ball. 



Uses External. — Croton oil is ordinarily superseded by milder coun- 

 ter-irritants, as turpentine, mustard,, or stimulating liniments ; but it may 

 be employed so as to secure any degree of irritation according to its 

 strength. It is occasionally used for horses in acute diseases of the brain,' 

 applied around the poll and on the back of the neck; 1 part (20-30Tri,), 

 with 30 parts each of oil of turpentine and linseed oil ; in acute disorders 

 of the chest (10-16T1X on either side) and abdomen (40'nX), similarly 

 diluted. 



Absorption, purging and revulsant action may be secured by the 

 external application of croton oil. Croton oil is more often employed in 

 cattle (1-6 or 10, with cod liver oil) for its counter-irritant effect when 

 rubbed into the skin, as in laryngitis, glandular enlargement, and. rheu- 

 matic joints. It is less likely to cause severe inflammation and blemish- 

 ing than in horses. For swine, croton oil is diluted with 2 volumes of 

 linseed or cod liver oil. 



Uses Internal. — Croton oil is more suitable as a drastic cathartic for 

 cattle, than for horses. It is prescribed in obstinate constipation (not of 

 organic origin) when other remedies fail, and in impaction of the omasum. 

 Also in unconscious conditions where its small bulk will allow of its 

 exhibition. Again, for its derivative and rapid effect in cerebral conges- 

 tion, parturient apoplexy, etc. Croton oil may be given to dogs and pigs 

 in similar conditions. The oil is too irritant for horses to justify its use 

 save in exceptional cases. 



For Cattle. 



Olei tiglii 3ss. 



Olei llni Oii. 



M. 



S. Give at one dose in drench. 



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