312 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



condition lasts for 2 to 4 minutes, with variations of from 

 10 to 30 minutes. The same action of nitroglycerin occurs 

 within 6 minutes and lasts from half to, rarely, an hour and 

 a half. 



Good spirit of nitrous ether lowers tension from 45 to 

 60 minutes. In addition to this difference in degree, spirit 

 of nitrous ether differs somewhat in kind of action. It is 

 more stimulant to the heart, and more diuretic, owing to 

 the ether it contains. For the same reason sweet spirit of 

 nitre increases the secretions and motion of the upper part 

 of the digestive tract, relieves spasm and is of some value in 

 indigestion and mild colic. In stimulating the activity of 

 the sweat glands, following its action in dilating peripheral 

 vessels, sweet spirit of nitre is a useful diarphoretic and 

 mild febrifuge. 



It has been pointed out that spiritus setheris nitrosi is 

 far from being a reliable preparation as a nitrite, and there- 

 fore nitroglycerin or amyl nitrite are preferable where 

 rapid and certain vascular dilatation is essential. 



USES OF THE NITEITES. 



Internal. — Respiratory Diseases. — No drug is more effi- 

 cient than spirit of nitrous ether, in the treatment of acute 

 diseases of the respiratory tract, as coryza, pharyngitis, 

 laryngitis and bronchitis. Its value lies in its power of 

 dilating peripheral vessels, equalizing the circulation and 

 preventing local congestions. 



In assisting diarphoresis and diuresis, sweet spirit of 

 nitre hastens elimination oi toxines and cools the body ; and 

 in both ways is useful in abating fever. The following 

 prescription may be of service in canine practice in febrile 

 conditions : 



Tine, aconiti nixxiv. 



Spiritus SBtheris nitrosi 3 vi. 



Potassii bromidi § ss. 



Liq. Ammonii acetatis ad | iv. 



M. 



Sig. Teaspoonful in water every 2 hours. 



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