ANTISPASMODICS.— APERIENTS. 403 



ANTISPASMODICS 



Are useful in allaying cramp or spasm, but, as in the case of 

 Alteratives, we do not know how they act. The chief are opium, 

 aether, spirit of turpentine, and camphor, prescribed according to 

 the following formulas : — 



9. — Laudanum. 



Sulphuric aether, of each \ to 1 drachm. 

 Camphor mixture, 1 ounce. 

 Mix, and give in any ordinary spasm, as colic, ifcc. 



An antispasmodic injection : 



10 — Laudanum. 



Sulphuric aether. 



Spirit of turpentine, of each 1 to 2 drachms. 

 Gruel, 3 to 8 ounces. 

 Mix, and inject with a common clyster syringe. 



APERIENTS. 



Aperients, opening medicines, or purges, by which several names 

 this class of medicines is known, are constantly required by the 

 dog, though it is a great mistake to give them when they are not 

 absolutely demanded by the necessity of the case. All act by 

 quickening the ordinary muscular action of the bowels, but 

 some also stimulate the lining membrane to pour out large quan- 

 tities of watery fluid, and others either directly or indirectly 

 compel the liver to increase its secretion of bile. Hence they 

 are often classed into corresponding divisions, as laxatives, drastic 

 purgatives, &c. The chief of these drugs used in the dog-kennel 

 are aloes, colocynth, rhubarb, jalap, ipecacuanha, senna, calomel, 

 and blue pill, all of which act more or less on the liver; while 



