386 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



substance, KHeumatic lameness, anrl cramps and spasm 

 due to injury of nerves, may be treated in this manner. 

 Spasm of involuntary muscle is, however, more easily over- 

 come, and this action is of exceeding therapeutic importance. 

 Intestinal spasmodic colic of horses succumbs most readily 

 when atropine is given with morphine under the skin. In 

 peritonitis and enteritis, full and repeated doses of atropine, 

 with morphine, assist iu paralyzing the smooth muscular 

 fibres of the intestines, and in quieting peristaltic move- 

 ment. Paradoxical as it may seeai, large doses of atropine 

 have been recently used in human medicine, and with re- 

 markably good result.s, in the treatment of intestinal ob- 

 struction from impacted feces, and even in invagination and 

 twist, on the assumption that the inhibitory splanchnic 

 fibres of the gut are paralyzed by these large quantities 

 given under the skin (see " Action on Muscles and Nerves "). 

 Cough, stridulus breathing, and spasm, associated wiih 

 acute pharyngitis and laryngitis, are influenced favorably by 

 belladonna, in the first stage. The drug acts locally to 

 paralyze the ends of the motor nerves in the throat, relieves 

 spasm, and also contracts the peripheral vessels and over- 

 comes congestion and inflammation. It may be given to 

 horses in electuary, and also applied in liniment or oint- 

 ment externally. The following prescription is suitable for 

 horses suffering from pharyngitis or laryngitis. 



Extract. Belladonnee Rad. Fl | i. 



Pulv. Potassii Chloratis | ii. 



Pulv. Glyoyrrhizse J v. 



Syrupi Fusoi Q. S. 



M. et f. eleotuarium. 



Sig. Give i ounce every two hours. (Furnish | ounce 

 for sample dose.) 



In bronchitis and asthma, belladonna also allays spasm 

 and lessens secretion, irritation and cough. Other spasmo- 

 dic conditions benefited by belladonna are, "thumps," lead 

 colic, convulsions (with bromides), spasm of the rectum 

 owing to fissure or other causes, and incontinence of 



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