444 TEGETABLB DRUGS 



secretion, and, to a certain extent, peristalic action — in com- 

 bination with physostigmine — in obstinate constipation of 

 horses, and in impaction of the rumen and omasum, and in 

 acute gastritis of cattle (pilocarpine, gr.-iii., with eserine 

 sulphate gr.-i., subcutaneously). It is also given in colic, 

 and in obstruction from twist and intussusception, with 

 physostigmine.* The alkaloid is a good substitute for eserine 

 for application to the eye (in 1 or 2 per cent solution), and 

 is less painful. Pilocarpine is the most efficient antidote to 

 atropine, and should be administered in amount equal to 4 

 times that of atropine. Jaborandi is employed to remove 

 waste matters from the blood and system (urea and effu- 

 sions), but is of little value in veterinary practice, compared 

 with its efficiency in human medicine, on account of its 

 feeble sudorific action. It has been recommended in dropsy 

 of cardiac origin, not uncommon in dogs, but is dangerous^ 

 since it tends to produce pulmonary oedema and heart weak- 

 ness. For the same reason it is inadvisable in pleuritie 

 effusions and renal dropsy, and in all three conditions it is 

 inferior to purgatives. Pilocarpine is highly recommended 

 by the Germans in cerebral and spinal meningitis, to assist 

 absorption of effusion. Pilocarpine stimulates the skin in. 

 its elimination, and is sometimes of service in chronic ec- 

 zema, psoriasis, prurigo, and chronic urticaria. It is recom- 

 mended in chronic rheumatism as an eliminative, and in 

 acute inflammation of the brain, and it may be employed 

 to stimulate the gland in chronic ic!iopathio parotitis. 

 Small doses of pilocarpine have been employed success- 

 fully to stimulate a failing milk secretion, and to pre- 

 vent excessive sweating in general debility. Jaborandi 

 relieves dry throat and excessive thirst. Obesity, in robust 

 dogs, may be treated with pilocarpine under the skin, in 

 one-half grain doses daily. Success sometimes attends this 

 method. The drug is contraindicated when there is impair- 

 ment of the respiratory functions, a weak or fatty heart and 

 in unconsciousness, when excessive secretion may obstruct 

 the air passages. 



* The latter use of the drug is attended with danger of increasing the 

 obstruction, if not successful. 



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