STEYCHNINE POISONIKG 409 



stryclinine is preferable to digitalis as a heart stimulant, 

 because it does not so powerfully contract the arterioles. 

 Strychnine is useful in influenza by counteracting nervous 

 depression and improving the appetite and digestion. In 

 collapse and shock, following surgical operations, or in ether 

 and chloroform poisoning, strychnine is invaluable as a 

 cardiac and respiratory stimulant, given in large doses 

 subcutaneously. In chronic heart disease, strychnine is a 

 useful remedy. The alkaloid has proved extremely service- 

 able in chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and in that coinbi- 

 nation of these disorders, often associated with asthma and 

 known as "broken wind" or "heaves," in horses. 



The beneficial effect in these diseases is explained by 

 the stimulating action of the drug on the respiratory centres, 

 and the favorable influence exerted on digestion. 



2. In mild cases of chorea in dogs, strychnine is pre- 

 scribed to advantage with Fowler's solution. In accordance 

 with its physiological action, strychnine is indicated in 

 various paralyses of spinal origin, but should not be used 

 where there is irritation or inflammation of the spinal motor 

 tract. It is employed in hemiplegia and paraplegia, result- 

 ing from haemorrhage, after the lapse of several weeks, when 

 irritation produced by the clot has passed away. Strychnine 

 is said to be efficacious in the after-treatment of cerebro- 

 spinal meningitis of horses, and also in the paraplegia of cattle 

 (from parturient fever), and that of dogs resulting from various 

 and often undiscovered causes. Strychnine is serviceable 

 in the paralysis of lead poisoning, and in that form caused 

 by traumatism or toxaemia following influenza, distemper in 

 dogs, and rheumatism. "When injected into the muscular 

 tissue, the alkaloid is believed to stimulate the peripheral 

 nerves and muscular fibres, and is employed with benefit in 

 localized paralyses affecting groups of muscles before atro- 

 phy has occurred, as in "roaring" in horses! 



Either retention or incontinence of urine, resulting from 

 atony or paralysis of the bladder, may be relieved by strych- 

 nine ; also prolapse of the rectum induced by similar causes. 



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