416 VEGETABLE DBUG8 



A gelding, 800 lbs., poorly nourished, temperature normal, pulse 60, 

 was given physostigmine sulphate gr.lj^ (0.1) in \^ drachm of water 

 intrajugularly. Muscular tremors and colic came on in seven minutes; 

 in eleven minutes defsecation occurred, the heart became more rapid 

 and colic increased. Passages from the bowels were frequent for twa 

 hours— about fifteen in all— the faeces weighing twenty pounds in the 

 aggregate. All symptoms abated after three hours from the time of 

 receiving the drug. — MuiR.* 



A gelding, thirteen years old, in good condition and weighing 1,305 

 lbs., temperature and pulse normal, was given 3 grains (0.18) of eserine 

 sulphate under the skin. After thirty-two minutes elapsed, defaecation 

 began and continued with the expulsion of considerable mucus and 

 flatus until six passages had occurred within one hour and twenty 

 minutes. During this time the pulse had increased in frequency and 

 the animal was restless and pawing the ground. An hour and a half 

 after the first dose, a second dose of 3 grains (0.18) was given in the 

 same way. In twenty minutes muscular tremors and weakness became 

 marked, for the first time, and great distress was evident, the patient 

 appearing to be in much pain ; the respiration short, jerky and labored, 

 and nostrils distended and working. The evacuations continued until 

 twenty-three had been passed from the time of receiving the first dose 

 and until one and one-half hours after the second dose. The faeces were 

 quite liquid and contained much mucus and during passage were 

 attended with considerable straining. The weight of faeces aggregated 

 17 lbs. Four hours after the last dose all symptoms disappeared. — 

 MuiR.* 



Summary. — Full medicinal doses of physostigmine 

 (gr.l^-S), given subcutaneously or intravenously, produce 

 slight to considerable colic, increased peristalsis and mucous 

 secretion, muscular tremors and weakness, and frequent 

 defsBcation — beginning in ten to twelve minutes after intra- 

 venous use, about thirty minutes or more after injection 

 under the skin — and being twice as copious when the 



' Jour, of Comp. Med. and Vet. Archives, Jan. and Feb., 1899. 



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