368 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



(with atropine), subcutaneouslj' ; or as laudanum, with ether 

 and chloroform in a drench, simultaneously with an aloes ball. 

 In this affection opium actually assists the action of the purga- 

 tive by overcoming spasm. Pain directly antagonizes the effect 

 of opium, and repetition of the dose is both justifiable and 

 necessary until relief is obtained. Il3'podermic 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 in- 

 sufficient dosage rather than to delayed absorption from the 

 digestive canal. 



Opium is indicated in all forms of pain and in motor 

 excitement in cerebritis and meningitis. The pains and spas- 

 modic contractions resulting 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 morphine is injected 

 under the skin. Clonic spasm of the diaphragm in horses 

 ("Thumps") is also treated successfully with opium. Morphine 

 under the skin is useful in asthma in dogs.* 



2 and 3. Opium is invaluable in lessening secretion, motion 

 and pain in various digestive disorders. Gastric digestion is 

 inhibited by the action upon secretion and motion, and opium 

 should not be administered immediately after the ingestion 

 of food, unless the demand for it at that time is imperative. 



Excessive vomiting in dogs may be combated with 

 opium and bismuth, or with morphine hypodermatically. 

 Opium quiets peristalsis and secures rest of the canal in 

 gastritis and gastro-enteritis. In superpurgation and in all 

 forms of diarrhoea and dysentery, opium is the remedy par 

 excellence. (Laudanum in dose of 5-10 drops for large birds is 

 an efficient remedy for diarrhoea in poultry.) Its administra- 

 tion in these disorders should be accompanied, or preceded, 

 by an oleaginous (horse), saline (herbivora), or mercurial 

 (horse and dog) purgative; and its action may be assisted 



*The subcutaneous use of morphine sulphate (gr.ss-ii) in dogs 

 shortly before operation is of the greatest service in causing easy ether 

 anesthesia and permitting the use of the minimum amount of ether. 

 After the animal has once been etherized the author has frequently done 

 gastro-jejunostomy and even partial gastrectomy without any further 

 ether being required. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



