ACTION AND USES OF QUININE 487 



Quinine is found in minute amount in the bile, tears, saliva, 

 milk, etc., after its administration. 



Antipyretic Action. — Quinine does not alter the normal 

 temperature of a healthy animal, but does reduce tempera- 

 ture in fever. The amount of reduction depends upon the 

 cause of the fever. An explanation of the antipyretic power 

 of the alkaloid may include : 



1. The antiseptic property of quinine. This is most 

 marked in the case of the plasmodium malarise, which is 

 destroyed by the alkaloid, and the malarial fever is therefore 

 overcome. 



2. By retarding metabolism and thus lessening the pro- 

 duction of heat in the tissues. 



3. By dilating the vessels of the skin and therefore in- 

 ducing loss of heat. <■ 



Administration. — Quinine sulphate is usually given to 

 horses in aqueous solution with sufficient diluted sulphuric 

 acid to dissolve the salt. It may also be administered to 

 these animals in ball, gelatine capsiile, enema^or subcutane- 

 ously. Quinine is exhibited to dogs in pills, solution or sup- 

 positories. The alkaloid is not commonly injected under 

 the skin, because local irritation and abscess may follow ; 

 but this does not frequently happen in the horse. The 

 bisulphate, hydrobromide and hydrochloride are most suit- 

 able for hypodermic use. The first salt is more soluble, but 

 the latter two are less irritating. 



At a temperature of 45° C. (113° F.) 



Quinine bisulpliate is soluble in 8.8 parts of water. 



Quinine hydrobromide is soluble in 45.02 " " " 



Quinine hydrochloride is soluble in ......21.4 " " " 



This temperature may be iised for subcutaneous injection, 

 but the salts should be thoroughly dissolved and one grain 

 of tartaric acid should be added to each five grains of quinine 

 bisulphate, in order that precipitation may not occur in the 



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