ERGOT 629 



passage. Very small doses must be given for this purpose 

 in order to intensify the force of the uterine contractions 

 without inducing spasm of the uterus. The more common 

 causes of dystocia are remedied most advantageously by 

 manual interference. Ergot is of chiefest value in obstetric 

 practice to prevent or arrest post-partum hsemorrhage which 

 sometimes occurs in cows and ewes. If administered before 

 delivery of the placenta, ergot may give rise to tonic con- 

 traction of the womb and retention of the afterbirth. 



Ergot is of benefit in some disorders of the unimpreg- 

 nated and non-parturient uterus. Thus to aid the expulsion 

 of cysts, and to contract the uterus and its blood vessels in 

 hypertrophy, subinvolution, chronic metritis and fibroid 

 tumors. 



In paralysis of the bladder, ergot is occasionally useful 

 by creating contraction of the muscular coat of its walls. 

 This condition is most satisfactorily treated by the injection 

 of an ordinary dose of ergotin into the empty urinary bladder. 



2. Ergot is commonly recommended for combating 

 internal haemorrhage, when surgical measures are impossible. 

 Under this head may be included bleeding from the nose, 

 mouth, stomach, intestines, lungs, uterus and kidneys. The 

 drug should usually be given under the skin (ergotin) in 

 these emergencies. It is,, however, extremely doubtful 

 whether the increase of blood pressure caused by ergot does 

 not more than offset its beneficial action in contracting 

 vessels when used to stop internal hsemorrhage, and the best 

 clinicians to-day condemn its use and resort to ice and 

 opium in this condition. Ergot may be beneficial in causing 

 constriction of the blood vessels in the early stages of some 

 Lyperffimias and inflammations,— notably pulmonary, cere- 

 bral and spinal congestion, parturient apoplexy, cerebritis, 

 cerebro-spinal meningitis, spinal meningitis and myelitis, in 

 polyuria of horses, and in vasomotor palsy following surgi- 

 cal shock. In most of these states (except the latter, where . 

 adrenalin, intramuscularly, and morphine and atropine, sub- 

 cutaneously, are superior) ergot must be exhibited in verv 

 large dos3s three times daily. 



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