pilocarpine as a purgative for the horse. 
511 
stimulant, excites the activity of the glandular structures, 
especially the parotid glands and those of the intestinal tract' 
and stimulates peristole, thus causing the discharge of watery 
fasces. J 
Thus used it is especially valuable in cases of intestinal 
impaction, when the alvine excretions are liable to become 
hard and dry, and in cases where gastric distension has pro¬ 
duced temporary intestinal paralysis. 
When given hypodermically, in doses of one to three grains, 
it should produce a copious flow of saliva in three to five min¬ 
utes, and an action of the bowels in twenty minutes to one 
hour, and if it does not the dose should be repeated. 
In certain cases it may be well to combine eserine with the 
pilocarpine, yet much caution should be exercised in the use 
of this combination, and as eserine is a powerful sedative I 
have nearly discarded its use. 
In comparison the two drugs are as follows: 
Pilocarpine.— General stimulant, increases the heart’s ac¬ 
tion, mildly stimulates peristole, lowers temperature, produces 
watery fasces. 
Eserine— Powerful sedative, decreases the heart’s action, 
powerful peristaltic stimulant, increases temperature, does not 
alter the character of the fasces. 
Thus it is seen that eserine is a much more powerful drug 
than pilocarpine, and will always produce more or less de¬ 
pression, consequently it should, never be used when the ac 
tion of the heart is weak, as is often the case in colic and indi¬ 
gestion. 
While in pilocarpine we have a remedy that can be pushed, 
and in so doing we get the purgative action, and gain two 
points, i.e., an increased action of the heart and a lowering of 
the temperature. And -by its sudorific action it lessens the 
tendency to congestion of the bowels. 
Prof. Niles has demonstrated that eserine in doses of 
three grains will cause the discharge of watery faeces, while 
smaller doses do not alter the character of the faeces. 
