ON THERAPEUTICS. 9 
some degree by their power of causing excessive action, they 
differ in the methods and extent of their action. 
Alcohol, or any of its compounds, stimulates the brain and 
voluntary nerves. Ammonia, or its carbonate, is less decided 
in its effects upon the nervous functions, although a most 
effective agent in cases of deficient circulation. Capsicum, 
ginger, pimenta, and numerous spices classed as 44 cardiacs,” 
produce a direct effect upon the nerves of the stomach, 
causing an increased secretion, and ultimately extending the 
stimulant effect over the system, producing a sensation of dif¬ 
fused warmth, arising from the improved activity of the 
nervous and circulatory functions. 
Mercurial salts stimulate glands, particularly the liver and 
salivary glands, without occasioning any general excitement. 
Iodine and its compounds also stimulate glands in the first 
place, but have the peculiar, and sometimes inconvenient, 
property of subsequently causing their absorption. Iodine 
has the further peculiarity of acting directly upon diseased 
textures in preference to healthy ones, and, for this reason, 
is a most valuable therapeutic. 
Ergot of rye may be included in our list, although its 
action is only developed under peculiar circumstances. It 
possesses the specific pow T er of exciting the muscular irrita¬ 
bility of the gravid uterus, and is only employed in those 
cases of difficult or prolonged parturition arising from defec¬ 
tive muscular action of the organ. The term parturient is 
given to the agent on this account. 
Stimulants acting upon the surface of the body will more 
conveniently be discussed under 44 counter-irritation.” 
In the treatment of spasm the irregular muscular contrac¬ 
tion is corrected by the action of stimulant agents, probably 
in consequence of the origination of a new impression upon 
the nerves, and an improvement in the circulation of the 
part; under such circumstances the agents are classed as 
44 antispasmodics.” 
Under the general term stimulant we have, therefore, a 
number of agents possessing very varied capabilities; the 
selection of any one will be regulated by the necessities of 
the case. 
Alcohol, from its influence upon the general nervous sys¬ 
tem, is useful in general depression. 
In congestion, wffiere there is a viscid condition of blood, 
with nervous depression, ammonia is indicated; its volatility 
and alkaline reaction particularly adapt it for such cases, irre¬ 
spective of its presumed influence upon the blood’s fluidity. 
In acute exhaustion (if we may so term it)—we mean that 
