Part 3
USES OF ETHER.--When mixed with alcohol, as the spirit, ether mixes readily with water. It is excellent in indigestion with flatulence; it checks gastric fermentation, expels the gas and overcomes irregular and violent gastro-intestinal movements; hence, is also very good in spasmodic colic. In spasmodic colic, best to combine with cannabis indica or belladonna. When used as a vermifuge it should be followed by a purge. Used diluted one to ten to dislodge worms in the rectum. A most reliable remedy for collapse. Ether and alcohol are indicated in parturient paresis, ether with aqua ammonia may be used intravenously when the cow is unable to swallow. Sulphuric ether and alcohol or whisky are also good in parturient eclampsia of bitches, though aromatic spirit of ammonia is better; for chills, spirit of nitrous ether; also useful in convalescence from debilitating disease. Ether is a very good remedy in Thumps. Ether may be used for local anesthesia, applied as a spray, from an atomizer, about one ounce, usually being enough for the painless opening of abscesses or fistulae, but cocaine is better in our patients. _As an anesthetic_ it should be used in preference to chloroform, for the smaller and young animals, especially dogs, which are easily killed by chloroform. Ether is less prompt in action but much safer than chloroform, as it never paralyzes a healthy heart; it should be inhaled in as concentrated a form as possible, very little air being allowed, so it will exert its effects quickly, in the dog; a light or fire of any kind should not be allowed near, as ether is very inflammable and its vapor explosive. Always have a bottle of aqua ammonia fort. at hand as a restorer.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is derived directly from fruit sugar, and indirectly from starch. The grains, as wheat, rye, corn; and potatoes, supply starch most economically. The starch in these substances is converted into glucose by heating with very dilute sulphuric acid, or by fermentation with malt. Glucose is further acted upon by yeast containing the Torula cerevisiae, which converts 15 per cent of glucose into alcohol and carbonic dioxide. The weak alcohol resulting is subjected to repeated distillation until sufficiently pure and concentrated. In the natural fermentation of fruit sugar in grape juice, during the formation of wine, the amount of alcohol is self-limited to 15, rarely 20 per cent, since the ferment is killed by a larger amount of alcohol than this.
DERIVATION.--The official alcohol is derived from rectified spirits, by maceration, first with anhydrous potassium carbonate, then freshly fused calcium chloride, and finally by distillation.
PROPERTIES.--A liquid composed of about 92.3 per cent, by weight, or 94.9 per cent, by volume, of ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH) and about 7.7 per cent, by weight, of water (U. S. P.). A transparent, colorless, mobile and volatile liquid, of a characteristic rather agreeable odor and a burning taste. Specific gravity about .816 at 15.6° C. (60° F.). Miscible with water in all proportions and without any trace of cloudiness. Also miscible with ether chloroform. It is readily volatile at low temperature, and boils at 78° C. (172.4° F.). It is inflammable and burns with a blue flame.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 1 to 2 dr. Diluted four to six times its bulk of water.
PREPARATIONS
ALCOHOL ABSOLUTUM--ABSOLUTE ALCOHOL
Ethyl alcohol, containing not more than one per cent, by weight, of water.
DERIVATION.--Percolation of the purest alcohol through quicklime, out of contact with the air, and redistillation in vacuo.
PROPERTIES.--Transparent, colorless, mobile and volatile liquid, of a characteristic rather agreeable odor and a burning taste. Very hydroscopic. Specific gravity not higher than 0.797 at 15.6° C. (60° F.).
SPIRITUS FRUMENTI--WHISKY
DERIVATION.--An alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of the mash of fermented grain (usually of mixtures of corn, wheat and rye) and at least four years old.
PROPERTIES.--An amber-colored liquid having a distinctive odor and taste, and a slightly acid reaction. Its specific gravity should not be more than 0.945, nor less than 0.924, corresponding, approximately, to an alcoholic strength of 37 to 47.5 per cent, by weight, or 44 to 55 per cent, by volume. Contains no more than traces of fusel oil. The alcoholic liquors owe their flavor to bouquet to ethers which are only developed in course of time. The amylic alcohol, or fusel oil, in whisky is therefore converted into ethers, which give the characteristic flavor to whisky.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and swine, 1 to 2 oz.; dogs, 1 to 4 dr., diluted three to four times its bulk in water.
SPIRITS VINI GALLICI--BRANDY
DERIVATION.--An alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of the fermented unmodified juice of fresh grapes, and at least four years old.
PROPERTIES.--A pale amber-colored liquid, having a distinctive odor and taste and a slightly acid reaction. Its specific gravity should not be more than 0.941, nor less than 0.925 at 15.6° C. (60° F.), corresponding, approximately, to an alcoholic strength of 39 to 47 per cent, by weight, or 46 to 55 per cent, by volume, of absolute alcohol.
DOSE.--Same as that for whisky.
SPIRITUS JUNIPERI COMPOSITUS--COMPOUND SPIRIT OF JUNIPER
DERIVATION.--Oil of juniper, 8; oil of caraway, 1; oil of fennel, 1; alcohol, 1,400; water to make 2,000.
Compound spirit of juniper is similar to gin in its therapeutic action. Contains about 15 per cent more alcohol. Gin is made by distillation of fermented malt and juniper berries. Gin differs from the other alcoholic preparations therapeutically in being more diuretic.
DOSE.--Same as that for whisky.
RUM (not official)
Rum is made from a fermented solution of molasses by distillation. It contains, by weight, from 40 to 50 per cent of absolute alcohol. Rum does not differ physiologically from alcohol. There is no authoritative Latin name for rum.
DOSE.--Same as that for whisky.
VINUM ALBUM--WHITE WINE
DERIVATION.--An alcoholic liquid made by fermenting the juice of fresh grapes, the fruit of Vitis vinifera, free from seeds, stems and skins.
PROPERTIES.--A pale amber or straw-colored liquid, having a pleasant odor, free from yeastiness and a fruity, agreeable, slightly spirituous taste, without excessive sweetness or acidity. The Pharmacopoeia (1890) directs that the wine should contain from 7 to 12 per cent, by weight, of absolute alcohol. California Hock and Reisling, Ohio Catawba, Sherry, Muscatel, Madeira or the stronger wines of the Rhine, Mediterranean and Hungary come within the pharmacopoeial limits. Wines containing more than 14 per cent of alcohol are usually fortified, i. e., have alcohol or brandy added to them, and much imported Sherry and Madeira contain 15 to 20 per cent, by weight, of absolute alcohol.
DOSE.--Same as that for whisky.
VINUM RUBRUM--RED WINE
DERIVATION.--An alcoholic liquid made by fermenting the juice of fresh colored grapes, the fruit of Vitis vinifera, in presence of their skins.
PROPERTIES.--A deep red liquid, having a pleasant odor, free from yeastiness, and a fruity moderately astringent, pleasant and slightly acidulous taste, without excessive sweetness or acidity. Should contain not less than 7 nor more than 12 per cent, by weight, of alcohol. Native Claret, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Hungarian wines may be included within the pharmacopoeial limits of vinum rubrum. Port (vinum portense) is fortified with brandy during fermentation, and contains 15 to 25 per cent, by weight, of absolute alcohol. Port is astringent from tannic acid in the grapes, skin and stalks, or the astringency may be due to logwood. Red wines are said to be rough, contain tannic acid and therefore are astringents. Dry wines are those which contain little sugar. The wines develop ethers with age and these improve their flavor and action.
Champagne contains about 10 per cent of absolute alcohol and carbonic acid gas, which acts as a local sedative upon the stomach. Ale, stout and beers contain from 4 to 8 per cent of alcohol, together with bitters and malt extracts.
Cider contains 5 to 9 per cent of absolute alcohol. Imported sherry (B. P.) contains 15 to 20 per cent of absolute alcohol.
Alcohol is the solvent most commonly employed in pharmacy, dissolving alkaloids, resins, volatile oils, balsams, oleo-resins, tannin, sugar, some fats and fixed oils.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 3 to 6 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 3 oz.; dogs, 2 dr. to 1 oz.
## ACTIONS.--Alcohol is a cerebral excitant and finally becomes a
depressant and a narcotic poison.
It is anesthetic, antiseptic, antiparasitic, rubefacient (if confined), mild astringent, coagulate albumen; a local refrigerant by virtue of its rapid evaporation, unless confined by bandage, oiled silk, etc., when it is absorbed by the tissues and causes a sensation of warmth.
In medical doses it is a powerful general stimulant; it is very diffusible, and is partly oxidized by the organism, and partly excreted; thus alcohol acts as a food.
Small doses relax the blood vessels, stimulate the gastric glands, promote appetite and digestion; lessen the elimination of waste products, by preventing rapid tissue waste; causes a feeling of warmth, and temporarily, though slightly, raises the body temperature. It stimulates the heart and increases the functional activity of all organs, especially the kidneys and skin.
Large or too long continued doses derange the appetite and digestion, congest or inflame the stomach and liver. Eight ounces of alcohol killed a horse. Alcohol is poisonous and should be used with caution.
USES.--Are numerous, used principally as a stimulant, either in one large dose, 2 to 3 ounces of alcohol, or better, in small repeated doses, 1 ounce every 1, 2 or 3 hours, can be conjoined with other stimulants such as sulphuric ether, aromatic spirits of ammonia, digitalis, etc.
It is used in anesthetic mixtures, such as alcohol, ether and chloroform, combined in different proportions; in snake bites it is administered in very large doses.
In blood poisoning alcohol is a most potent drug, sustaining the heart, lowering the temperature and acting as a germicide. Alcohol makes an excellent dressing for wounds; applied locally to threatened bed-sores, frequently prevents their formation. It is useful in colds at their outset, or in a chill to restore the balance of the circulation and prevent or overcome internal congestion by relaxing the blood vessels of the periphery.
All alcoholic liquors are useful in debilitating diseases, such as influenza, in two or three ounce doses repeated every three or four hours. One-half to one drachm of quinine to one ounce of alcohol, for influenza or febrile diseases in general, excepting brain and spinal disease; useful in convalescence. In colic alcohol can be used with a great degree of success; it will act as a carminative antispasmodic and stimulant, used in collapse and weak heart; in septicaemia and pyaemia it has notable antiseptic and antipyretic effects. Useful in carbolic acid poisoning, alcohol, or alcoholic liquors, act as a chemical antidote besides overcoming the shock produced by the acid. It may also be used locally for carbolic acid burns.
The effects of alcohol are noticed in ten or fifteen minutes after administration and will be shown by a better condition of the pulse, the weak pulse becoming stronger and firmer; the quick pulse slower, the breathing becomes more natural, eyes brighten up and in fact a general improvement is shown.
Externally alcohol is used alone as a strengthening application to weak tendons and muscles; or after a race, is used to rub on the legs, combined with other drugs as a liniment, as alcohol, soap-liniment and witch hazel; can be used in surgery as an antiseptic.
To toughen the skin of tender or thin skinned horses who gall or chafe easily under the collar and saddle, alcohol will be found a most satisfactory application.
ALOE BARBADENSIS--BARBADOES ALOES
The thickened juice of the leaves of Aloe vera, Linn., Aloe chinensis, Bak., and probably other species, evaporated to dryness.
HABITAT.--The Barbadoes Island.
PROPERTIES.--In hard masses, orange, brown, opaque, translucent on the edges; fracture waxy or resinous; odor saffron-like; taste strongly bitter. Almost entirely soluble in alcohol; most used in veterinary medicine.
CONSTITUENT.--Aloin; a resin; volatile oil; gallic acid.
DOSE.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; 20 gr. to 1 dr.
ALOE SOCOTRINA--SOCOTRINE ALOES
The juice that flows from the transversely cut leaves of Aloe Perryi, Baker, evaporated to dryness.
HABITAT.--Eastern Africa.
PROPERTIES.--In hard masses, occasionally soft in the interior; opaque, yellowish-brown, orange-brown or dark ruby-red, fracture resinous. When moistened it emits a fragrant saffron-like odor; taste peculiar, strongly bitter. Almost entirely soluble in alcohol and four parts of boiling water. The powdered socotrine aloes is brighter and redder, and the odor less disagreeable than that of Barbadoes Aloes.
CONSTITUENTS.--About the same as Barbadoes Aloes.
DOSE.--Same as Barbadoes Aloes.
ALOINUM--ALOIN
A neutral principle obtained from several varieties of aloes, chiefly from Barbadoes and Socotrine Aloes.
DERIVATION.--Obtained by pulverizing and macerating aloes in cold water, and evaporating the resulting solution in vacuo. Aloin crystallizes out and is dried between folds of bibulous paper. It is purified by repeated solution in hot water, filtration, recrystallization, and finally by solution in hot alcohol and crystallization.
PROPERTIES.--A micro-crystalline powder or minute acicular crystals, lemon yellow or dark yellow in color, possessing a slight odor of aloes and intensely bitter taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 3 dr.; sheep, 20 to 60 gr.; pigs, 10 to 40 gr.; dogs, 11 to 20 gr.; combined with other purgatives.
PREPARATIONS
TINCTURA ALOES ET MYRRHAE--TINCTURE OF ALOES AND MYRRH
Made by maceration and percolation of purified aloes, 100 parts; myrrh, 100 parts, and liquorice root, with alcohol and water to make 1000.
DOSE.--Dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.
## ACTION.--Aloes is a purgative, acting chiefly on the large intestines;
small doses are bitter tonics; it stimulates both peristalsis and secretion, increases secretion of bile; is also diuretic; applied externally it is stimulant and desiccant; the Barbadoes is the most
## active and uniform in its effects.
Aloes should be kept in lumps in tin cans or other good containers, only powdered for immediate use; in melting aloes don’t let the temperature rise above 120 degrees as it impairs the activity by converting the
## active aloin into inert resin. Aloes operate in from 12 to 24 hours
after administration; don’t repeat an aloetic purge until 24 hours have elapsed. It also does not cause catharsis. In about 15 hours, the patient should be exercised, but returned to the stall as soon as the desired effect is evident. If it fails to act in 24 hours, linseed oil may be given. Aloin appears to contain the active principles of aloes, and is usually as operative, but some manufactures are ineffective.
USES INTERNAL.--In dyspepsia with capricious appetite, irregularity of the bowels, hide-bound horses, worms; is used in colic, both spasmodic and flatulent, for overloaded condition of the bowels; to promote excretion of waste products from the bowels and the blood, and consequently relieve febrile symptoms; rheumatic attacks, skin irritation, swollen limbs and inflamed joints; in lymphangitis to prevent and aid in curing. By attracting the blood to the bowels, it is useful in congestion or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, full doses being necessary; in paralysis, paraplegia or hemiplegia or reflexed paralysis due to indigestion, give full doses. Aloes should not be used in irritation or inflammation of the alimentary canal or piles. It is not advisable to give an aloetic purge when the temperature is above 102° F. Nor in hemorrhage from the rectum; in high fevers it is apt to cause superpurgation, also should not be used where there is great debility or weakness. In influenza the bowels are apt to be irritable and oil is preferable to aloes. Don’t use during pregnancy; may cause abortion. For young foals or other animals, the gentler purgative, such as linseed or castor oil should be used. The medical value of aloes being large, it is impossible to enumerate all the diseases in which it is useful. Externally the tincture of aloes and myrrh is sometimes applied as a stimulant to wounds, and powdered aloes is mixed with plaster of paris in making splints for dogs to prevent these animals from biting and tearing them off. Internally aloes should be combined with ginger, nux vomica and given in capsule or bolus.
ALUMEN--ALUM
DERIVATION.--From alum slate, shale, schist, a native mixture of aluminum silicate and iron sulphide. This is roasted and exposed to the air, when the sulphur is oxidized into sulphuric acid and combined in part with aluminum and iron to form sulphates. The mass is lixiviated with water, and aluminum and iron sulphates together with sulphuric acid are recovered in solution. The solution is concentrated and to it is added potassium chloride. The double sulphate of potassium and aluminum (alum) is formed, which crystallizes out on cooling, while potassium sulphate and ferric chloride remain as by-products. Alum is purified by recrystallization.
PROPERTIES.--Large, colorless, octahedral crystals, sometimes modified by cubes or crystalline fragments; without odor, but having a sweetish and strongly astringent taste. On exposure to the air the crystals are liable to absorb ammonia and acquire a whitish coating. Soluble in nine parts of water, insoluble in alcohol.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 gr. to 1 dr.; emetic for dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.
ALUMEN EXSICCATUM--DRIED ALUM
Commonly termed burnt alum, is alum deprived of its water of crystallization by heat.
PROPERTIES.--A white granular powder, odorless, having a sweetish astringent taste, soluble in twenty parts of water at 60° F. Is a powerful astringent and escharotic.
ALUMINI HYDROXIDUM--ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
DERIVATION.--Made from alum, 100 parts; monohydrate sodium carbonate, 43 parts; water, a sufficient quantity. Mix hot, boiling solutions of alum and sodium carbonate. Precipitate strained, washed and dried.
PROPERTIES.--A white, light, amorphous powder; odorless and tasteless; permanent in dry air; insoluble in water or alcohol.
DOSE.--Same as alum.
ALUMINI SULPHAS--ALUMINUM SULPHATE
DERIVATION.--Aluminum hydroxide is dissolved in diluted sulphuric acid, and the solution is filtered and evaporated to dryness.
PROPERTIES.--A white, crystalline powder, without odor, having a sweetish and afterwards astringent taste; permanent in the air; soluble in one part of water; insoluble in alcohol.
DOSE.--Same as alum.
## ACTIONS.--Astringent, at first excites flow of saliva, then markedly
decreases it; coagulates pepsin, thus it would derange or entirely arrest digestion; it also stops peristalsis and produces constipation, though sometimes it induces diarrhoea by irritation. It arrests secretions in general and in the circulation contracts the capillaries; it is in this way it arrests secretions, especially those of mucous surfaces, and stops capillary hemorrhage. The sulphate of aluminum is mildly caustic, astringent and antiseptic. Dried alum is caustic and astringent.
EXTERNALLY.--Dried alum is a caustic, in contact with raw sores, on account of its affinity for water. Alum has no action on unbroken skin, but applied to mucous membranes or denuded parts it is antiseptic and astringent; coagulates albumin of discharges; precipitates or coagulates albumin of the tissues; squeeze blood out of the vessels; reduces inflammation and makes the part whiter, brings together and denser. Alum is a hemostatic, stopping bleeding by compression of the structures surrounding the vessels and by causing blood to clot.
USES.--In diarrhoea and dysentery, but other astringents are safer and better, as it may lock the bowels too tight, may be used in weeping sores or weeping skin diseases; in long standing nail wounds by putting one-half to one pound into the soaking tub, also in same way for injured coronets, with raw bulging surfaces that bleed easily, also for sore mouth, sometimes mix a little boric acid; useful in bleeding piles, and in mild solution alum one ounce to water one pint for sore throat; also used internally for bloody urine (haematuria) and for open joints apply the powdered alum to arrest the flow of joint oil (synovia). For catarrhal ophthalmia, after the acute stage, an alum lotion five grains to one ounce of water is very serviceable; for granular lids rub with a crystal of alum. Alum should never be used too strong over the eye as it seems to have the power of dissolving the cornea; a solution containing ten grains of alum to the ounce of water may be used in canker of the ear of dogs; also for leucorrhoea and prolapsus of the rectum; dried alum may be used as a caustic whenever a caustic is indicated, but is not recommended for this purpose. For a powerful drying powder, especially useful when excessive granulation exists. It causes sloughing of the dead tissues and is indicated when the use of the knife is inadmissible.
AMYLIS NITRIS--AMYL NITRITE
A liquid containing about 80 per cent of amyl nitrite, together with variable quantities of undetermined compounds.
DERIVATION.--Obtained through distillation of nitric and amylic alcohol. Distillate purified by sodium carbonate.
PROPERTIES.--A clear, yellow or pale yellow liquid, oily, very volatile, peculiar and very diffusive ethereal odor and a pungent aromatic taste. Insoluble in water, but soluble in all proportions in alcohol, ether and chloroform.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 15 ms.; dogs, 2 to 5 ms.; amyl nitrite is very seldom given internally; hypodermically, one-half this dose. By inhalation, same as given internally. It should be fresh as it rapidly deteriorates.
## ACTIONS.--It stimulates the heart’s action, greatly dilates the
arterioles by paralyzing their muscular coats; causes a sense of fullness in the brain with vertigo, fall of blood pressure due to dilation of the arterioles, lowering of temperature; when the vapor is applied direct to muscular or nerve tissues it suspends or completely arrests its functional activity; it depresses the nervous system and unstriped muscular fiber. Overdoses cause death by respiratory failure.
USES.--Epileptic attacks may be warded off by its being inhaled; spasmodic asthma, used either internally, hypodermically or best by inhalation; in strychnine poisoning, angina pectoris in tetanus, and as a heart stimulant. It is useful as an inhalation in bringing about recovery from deep chloroform and anesthesia.
ANISUM--ANISE
ORIGIN.--The anise plant is a native of Egypt and the Levant, but has been introduced in various parts of that continent. It is also cultivated occasionally in the gardens of this country. The fruit is abundantly produced in Malta and Spain; in Romagna, in Italy, whence it is largely exported through Leghorn, and in Central and Southern Russia.
DESCRIPTION.--Ovoid, laterally compressed, 4 to 5 m. m. long; carpels usually cohering and attached to a slender pedicel; grayish or greenish-gray to grayish brown; each with a flat face and five light brown filiform ridges and about 16 oil-tubes; odor and taste agreeable and aromatic. The anise berries are dried and ground, this being the form in which it is usually used.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 3 dr.; dogs, 10 to 30 gr.
OLEUM ANISI--OIL OF ANISE
A volatile oil distilled from the fruit of star anise.
PROPERTIES.--A colorless or pale yellow, thin and strongly refractive liquid, having the characteristic odor of anise, and a sweetish, mildly aromatic taste. Specific gravity about 0.975 to 0.985. Soluble in an equal volume of alcohol.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 20 to 30 m.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 m.; dogs and cats, 1 to 5 m.
## ACTIONS.--Anise is an aromatic stimulant, stomachic and carminative. It
is used to relieve indigestion and flatulence, to communicate an agreeable flavor to many medicines, and to diminish the griping of purgatives. Oil of anise resembles in action other volatile oils.
USES.--The oil of anise is employed with olive oil or alcohol to kill fleas or lice on dogs, rubbed over the skin; and one drop of the pure oil may be placed on the feathers of fowl to cause destruction of lice. The oil of anise is sometimes prescribed to disguise the odor of drugs, and is ordered in cough mixtures for its expectorant properties.