CROTON OIL 581 



purging; and sometimes by the kidneys, creating diuresis, 

 irritation of these organs and strangury. 



Action Internal. — Croton oil is also an intense internal 

 irritant. It increases the vascularity of the stomach and 

 bowels and in large doses creates gastro-enteritis. Medicinal 

 doses notably augment the intestinal secretions — but not, 

 that of bile — and to a degree peristalsis. The drug may 

 act in half an hour, but usually within a few hours, and pur- 

 gation is attended with colicky pain and griping. The 

 movements are very fluid and sometimes contain blood. 

 Croton oil is therefore a drastic hydragogue cathartic. The 

 purgative action is probably due in part to direct irritation 

 of the intestinal mucous membrane ; in part to absorption 

 and elimination of the oil by the bowels. 



Toxicology. — Ten drops of croton oil will kill a dog 

 unless vomiting occurs. Thirty drops prove fatal to 

 a horse, intravenously. The treatment of poisoning in- 

 cludes the use of emetics or stomach tube, demulcents and 

 opium. 



Administration. — Croton oil may be placed on the tongue 

 of an unconscious animal, in a small quantity of linseed oil, 

 olive oil, or lard. The oil can also be given in enema with a 

 pint of linseed oil. It may be exhibited to dogs in pill, 

 castor oil, or rubbed up with a little butter and smeared 

 on the back of the tongue. Croton oil (in a pint of linseed 

 oil) is valuable in assisting the action of salts in obstinate 

 constipation of cattle. It may be administered to horses 

 (TTLx.), when a powerful derivative and purgative action is 

 indicated, as in acute inflammation of the brain and cord, 

 with calomel and aloes in ball. 



Uses External. — Croton oil is ordinarily superseded by 

 milder counter-irritants, as turpentine, mustard, or stimulat- 

 ing liniments ; but it may be employed so as to secure any 

 degree of irritation according to its strength. It is occasion- 

 ally used for horses in acute diseases of the brain, applied 

 around the poll and on the back of the neck ; 1 part 

 (20-301TL), with 30 parts each of oil of turpentine and lin- 



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