Chapter 6 of 12 · 3979 words · ~20 min read

Part 6

Made from chloroform, 300 parts, soap liniment 700 parts.

SPIRITUS CHLOROFORMI

Made from chloroform 60 parts, alcohol, 940 parts.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 20 to 40 m.

CHLOROFORM EMULSUM--EMULSION OF CHLOROFORM

Made from chloroform, expressed oil of almond, tragacanth and water. Should contain four per cent of chloroform. A good agent and vehicle for diarrhoea and vermifuge mixtures for small animals.

DOSE.--Dogs, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; cats, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.

## ACTIONS.--Chloroform is a topical irritant, antiseptic, parasiticide,

carminative, antispasmodic and analgesic. Full doses quickly and powerfully paralyze the cerebro-spinal nervous system; chloroform kills by paralyzing the heart and respiration; the latter effects are most rapidly produced when the drug is inhaled. Chloroform is the general anaesthetic most used for veterinary purposes except for dogs.

Externally it is rubefacient if confined or even suppurant. It also acts as a refrigerant, anodyne and local anaesthetic if not confined. It penetrates the skin very readily and on this account is commonly used in liniments to aid in the absorption of other medicines.

Chloroform compared to ether is much more irritating to the mucous membrane, and causes violent gastro-enteritis, if swallowed undiluted; it is less stimulating and more depressing to the heart and circulation. For inhalation it requires much more air; is less irritant to the air passages than ether; is uninflammable, more pleasant, more prompt in

## action, has a shorter stage of excitement, causes a more profound

narcosis, and is not so nauseating as ether and is cheaper. Statistics show it to be five times more fatal than ether.

The results of various experiments show that chloroform and ether both

## act in the same manner upon the heart and respiration, paralyzing the

latter first; but chloroform acts much more quickly and powerfully than ether in both directions. But when chloroform is inhaled in a concentrated form it generally paralyzes the heart first.

USES.--Chloroform should be used as an aid in painful and prolonged cases of parturition, especially where you have tumultuous contraction of the uterus, or rigid contraction of the os. Use just enough by inhalation to dull the pain and relax the parts; it will aid you in your efforts to rectify abnormal presentations by relaxing the parts.

Internally it is used in spasmodic and flatulent colic as it is an antispasmodic carminative and anodyne in its effects; chloroform combined with belladonna and opium is very beneficial in spasmodic coughs, given in linseed gruel or water, well diluted; in liniments about one or two ounces to the pint. Chloroform is used in chronic diarrhoea with other medicines, such as morphine, capsicum, camphor, oil of peppermint and ether. It is also a good taeniacide.

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia is divided into three stages; the stimulant, anaesthetic and paralytic.

_In the first stage_ there is struggling and excitement, due partly to the action of the drug and partly to fright. The local irritant action of the vapor causes choking and coughing, which also induces struggling.

The respiratory and cardiac centers are temporarily stimulated, as a consequence of which the pulse and respiratory movements are increased in force and frequency and blood tension is raised.

The smaller animals, particularly the dog, may vomit during the first stage of anaesthesia. In the first stage the dog may bark, whine or howl, the horse neighs and groans; other animals give expression to sounds more or less characteristic to their species.

_The second or anesthetic stage_ is characterized by loss of consciousness, sensation, motion and partial loss of reflex action and is that state suitable for operations. The stimulating action of the anesthetic has passed and there is now depression of the cerebral functions, the motor centers. The voluntary muscles are completely relaxed, the sphincters occasionally, the patient lies absolutely motionless, the cornea fails to respond to irritation, i. e., winking is not produced when the cornea is lightly touched with the finger. Sometimes the muscles are rigid and twitching during this stage of anesthesia, though sensation and consciousness are absent. In the anesthesia stage the pulse is slow, full and strong, due to lowered blood pressure, the breathing is slow and shallow but regular.

_The third or paralytic stage_, which must be carefully watched against, poisoning is beginning and there is depression of the three great medullary centers controlling the heart, respiration and vascular tension and also the posterior reflex centers of the spinal cord, so that the urine and faeces are passed involuntarily. The passage of urine frequently occurs in the first stages of anesthesia and should not of itself be considered a danger mark. When the pulse becomes rapid, feeble and irregular, the breathing is at first stertorous and then the respiratory movements become shallow and weak, with long intervals intervening between them; this irregularity is a most important danger sign. The skin and mucous membrane often become cold and clammy. The pupils are usually widely dilated, though death may occur with either dilated or contracted pupils and consequently no dependence should be put in this sign unless there has been a sudden change from one condition of the pupils to the other. The three above mentioned stages are conventional, and are not in any case so clearly defined in practice as they are described theoretically upon paper. The first stage may be either absent or prolonged, and the last stage should not be reached at all.

COMPARISON OF ETHER WITH CHLOROFORM

Consequently you can see considering both drugs to be properly administered, all the advantages are in favor of chloroform except safety.

Ether is to be preferred for dogs, cats and other small animals.

Chloroform is especially dangerous for dogs, though horses stand it exceptionally well and it is preferable to ether in large animals. The safety with which chloroform may be administered to large animals frequently makes veterinarians careless; that is, they “force” the drug; they do not allow sufficient air for dilution, and though the patients may not die from the immediate effects of the drug their existence may be terminated in a few days from pneumonia or broncho-pneumonia (mechanical), due to the irritating effects of the drug.

ANAESTHESIA.--It is best to cast the large animals; after complete anaesthesia remove the hobbles.

For dogs make a cone of a towel and paper, put a sponge in the bottom, allowing a small opening in the end to admit air; pour in ether a little at a time.

In brain diseases or tumors of the brain, chloroform is dangerous. Horses with heaves or emphysema should not take chloroform; it is also dangerous in fatty degeneration of the heart. Operations during incomplete anaesthesia, especially with chloroform, are dangerous; always produce complete anaesthesia, have the stomach empty, but don’t fast animals for more than two or three meals.

_Things to remember when administering an anaesthetic:_

The operator must be skilled and give his attention exclusively to the production of anaesthesia, watching the respiration and pulse for signs of failure.

Do not commence operation until anaesthesia is profound, until reflex

## action is abolished, which can be told by touching the eye with the

finger; obey this, no matter how slight the operation. The utmost care should be exercised if the patient is very old or has fatty degeneration of the heart, or lung diseases.

Great care should be exercised in operations about the mouth or trachea. See that no blood passes down the trachea. The stomach and bowels should be empty. This will cause less nausea and feed may be regurgitated and run down the trachea.

When purchasing chloroform or ether for anaesthetic purposes insist on the best; it must be pure.

Ether can be used almost pure, only a little air being necessarily allowed for dilution; chloroform must have a large amount of air.

In all classes of patients the head should be slightly raised, and watch the tongue so that it does not fall back over the larynx and suffocate the animal.

Anaesthesia should be started very slowly; don’t force either chloroform or ether.

It is a good practice to have restoratives ready for use before commencing anaesthesia, as aqua ammonia fort., a hypodermic syringe and nitro-glycerin.

CINCHONA

ORIGIN.--Cinchona is obtained from the bark of a tree (Cinchona Calisaya), which grows in South America, East Indies and Jamaica. It contains at least five per cent of its peculiar alkaloids, of which not less than one-half should be quinine sulphate, which is the most important.

## ACTIONS.--Cinchona is an astringent. Other than that cinchona and its

alkaloids possess the same actions, that being, bitter tonic, stimulant, antiseptic, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiphlogistic, antimiasmatic, stomachic and antiferment. Large doses are general depressants.

USES.--Cinchona and its alkaloids are recommended for all classes of patients as bitter stomachic and tonics. They stimulate the appetite, check abnormal gastro-intestinal fermentation and counteract relaxed conditions of the intestines and the accumulations of mucus, which prove favorable to the development of worms.

In troublesome cases of atonic indigestion in horses respond rapidly when quinine sulphate is frequently given in thirty to forty grain doses with half a drachm of dilute nitric or hydrochloric acid. Weak foals and calves suffering from relaxed condition of the bowels, following a dose of castor oil are often much benefited by a few doses of cinchona bark, hydrochloric acid dilute and brandy.

Few medicines are so effectual as cinchona bark or quinine sulphate in improving appetite and muscular strength and hastening convalescence from debilitating disease.

They are advantageous in anaemia joined with iron salts.

Good results are obtained from cinchona or quinine in the earlier stages of tuberculosis, in septicaemia and pyaemia in all animals; in influenza, protracted cases of strangles, purpura and other similar diseases of the horse; in septic metritis in cows and ewes and in lingering cases of distemper in dogs. Their beneficial effects in these and other diseases probably depending on the action of quinine on micro-organisms or their products. It is often useful in rheumatism conjoined with salicylic acid or potassium iodide. Administered with cathartics, like other bitter tonics, it generally increases their

## activity. Alternated with cod liver or olive oil and iron, quinine is

the best tonic for weak dogs and those suffering from chorea.

Quinine and urea hydrochloride has recently come into use as local anaesthetic. One per cent solutions make a satisfactory substitute for cocaine, etc. It also has advantages over cocaine. It is non-toxic, it may be exposed to a boiling temperature and its anaesthetic effect for dogs after an operation, therefore aiding in dressing of wounds. Its anaesthetic effect comes on within five minutes to half an hour after being injected into the intended seat of operation.

Speaking from practical experience, I prefer quinine and urea hydrochloride to cocaine or any of its allies.

DOSE.--Of the powdered cinchona bark: Horses, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 4 dr.; dogs, 10 gr. to 1 dr.

ALKALOIDAL SALTS OF CINCHONA--QUININAE SULPHAS--SULPHATE OF QUININE

DOSE.--As a tonic: Horses, 15 gr. to 1 dr.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 gr.; dogs and cats, 1 to 2 gr. As antipyretic Dose: Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 gr to 1 dr.; dogs and cats, 5 to 10 gr.

QUININAE ET UREAE HYDROCHLORIDUM--QUININE AND UREA HYDROCHLORIDE (NON-OFFICIAL)

Soluble in 18 parts of water. Use hypodermically as a local anesthetic.

COCAINAE HYDROCHLORIDUM--COCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE

“The dried leaves of Erythroxylon Coca Lamarck (Fam. Erythroxylaceae), known commercially as Huanuco Coca, or of E. Truxillense Rusby, known commercially as Truxillo Coca, yielding when assayed not less than 0.5 per cent of the ether-soluble alkaloids of coca.” U. S. “The dried leaves of Erythroxylum Coca, Lam., and its varieties.”

HABITAT.--Cultivated in Peru and Bolivia and introduced into medicine by Koller in 1884.

DERIVATION.--Cocaine hydrochloride is recovered by agitating an acidulated alcoholic solution of coca leaves with ether. The etheral liquid is made alkaline with sodium carbonate and evaporated. The residue is purified, deodorized, neutralized with hydrochloric acid and finally crystallized.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless, transparent, monoclinic prism, flaky, lustrous leaflets or a white crystalline powder; permanent in air, containing no water of crystallization; odorless; of a saline, slightly bitter taste, and producing on the tongue a tingling sensation followed by numbness of several minutes’ duration. Soluble in 0.4 part of water, 2.6 parts of alcohol and in 18.5 parts of chloroform at 25° C. (77° F.); soluble in benzine, petroleum benzine and ether. It leaves no residue on incineration. Its aqueous solution is neutral to litmus paper.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 5 to 20 gr.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 3 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₈ to 1 gr. Not much used internally.

## ACTION.--Cocaine in small doses is a cerebral, cardiac, respiratory and

nervous stimulant and dieuretic; overdoses cause delirium with cardiac and respiratory failure. Cocaine is a powerful local anaesthetic; used for all animals in 4 to 10 per cent solution, usually a 4 to 6 per cent solution is strong enough for ordinary operations. Inject under the skin, into the muscular tissue or over nerve trunks for minor operations. Applied to such structures as the eye, penis, tongue and other delicate mucous surfaces as the uterus, vagina, rectum, etc. It causes profound but temporary anaesthesia over a small area; it causes rapid and extreme dilation of the pupil.

Cocaine is injected for minor operations to prevent pain, such as neurectomy, removing tumors, operations on the eyes, tongue, fistulae, firing, etc. For dogs it should be used with great caution, a two per cent solution usually being enough and as little as possible being used.

For the horse, as a rule, not more than two drachms of a five per cent solution should be injected subcutaneously, lest restlessness, excitement, etc., ensue, which though not necessarily dangerous, may interfere with the operation.

In using cocaine as a diagnostic agent for lameness, the fact must not be lost sight of that it is a cerebral stimulant and that if a large quantity is injected it may cause such a degree of excitement as to make the patient forget his lameness, thus leading the operator to believe that the improvement is due to anaesthesia below the point of injection, when the apparent remission from the lameness is of physical origin. Cocaine is advantageously used in painful eye affections. Its effects may be prolonged and the danger of its use lessened by dissolving the cocaine in a 1 to 1000 adrenalin chloride solution.

CRETA PRAEPARATA--PREPARED CHALK

DERIVATION.--Native calcium carbonate, freed from most of its impurities by elutriation.

PROPERTIES.--A white, amorphous powder, often molded into conical drops; odorless and tasteless; permanent in the air. Almost insoluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 2 oz.; cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 10 gr. to 1 dr.

PREPARATIONS

PULVIS CRETAE COMPOSITUS--COMPOUND CHALK POWDER

Composed of chalk, 30 parts; acacia, 20 parts; sugar, 50 parts.

DOSE.--Dogs, 10 gr. to 1 dr.; cats, 1 to 5 gr.

MISTURA CRETAE--CHALK MIXTURE

Composed of compound chalk powder, 20 parts; cinnamon water, 40 parts; water to make 100.

DOSE.--Dogs, 1 to 2 oz.; cats, 1 to 2 dr.

## ACTIONS.--Internally, chalk is the slowest acting antacid, because of

its comparative insolubility and is of value when it can exert its long-continued influence throughout the digestive tract. It resembles bismuth in mechanically coating or protecting inflamed or irritable surfaces. It is not so astringent nor antiseptic as the bismuth salts, and these are generally preferable to chalk for the smaller animals. It is excreted unchanged in the feces. Externally it is a dessicant and slightly astringent powder, also protective.

USES.--Chalk forms a dusting powder for moist eczema, slight burns and intertrigo; zinc oxide and starch (one to four) is, however, a better preparation. Chalk is the most useful antacid for diarrhoea accompanied by fermentation of the intestinal contents, while its local astringent and protecting influence assists in overcoming the trouble. It is especially good for foals and calves given in flour gruel and often conjoined with catechu, ginger and opium.

Chalk may be given to dogs in pills or powder; to other animals in powder, capsules or electuary. Chalk is frequently prescribed suspended in flour, gruel, milk or mucilage to the larger animals. The chalk preparations are suitable for dogs and cats.

CUPRI SULPHAS--COPPER SULPHATE--BLUE VITRIOL--BLUE STONE

DERIVATION.--Boil metallic copper and sulphuric acid together. Dissolve product in hot water and crystallize.

PROPERTIES.--Large, transparent, deep blue, triclinic crystals; odorless, of a nauseous, metallic taste; slowly efflorescent in dry air; soluble in water; almost insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 40 gr.; dogs, 1 to 2 gr.

As a tonic and astringent, repeat two or three times daily; given either in capsule or in some mucilagenous solution, or in powder form, with some inert substance; when given as a tonic should be given at time of feeding, or right after eating.

## ACTIONS.--Gastro-intestinal irritant, astringent, tonic, emetic in large

doses; acts directly on the stomach; antiseptic and vermifuge.

USES.--Internally used as emetic, antidote for phosphorus, atony of the bowels, diarrhoea, especially combined with dilute sulphuric acid opium; is supposed to prevent the development of farcy and glanders in exposed animals. Used externally as a caustic and stimulant; styptic, also used for foot-rot; for granular eyelids, touch lightly over the granular surface with the sulphate of copper.

DIGITALIS--FOXGLOVE

The dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea Linne (Fam. Scrophulariaceae), collected from plants of the second year’s growth, at the commencement of flowering.

HABITAT.--Foxglove grows wild in the temperate parts of Europe, where it flowers in the middle of summer. In this country it is cultivated for ornamental and for medical use.

PROPERTIES.--Foxglove is without odor in the recent state, but acquires a faint narcotic odor when dried. The color of the dried leaf is a dull pale green, modified by the whitish down upon the under surface; that of the powder is a fine deep green.

CONSTITUENTS.--Digitalein, Digitonin, Digitalin and Digitoxin, the latter is most poisonous and active. Said to be cumulative.

DOSE.--Digitalis leaves, horses, 15 gr. to 1 dr.; cattle, 30 gr to 1¹⁄₂ dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 15 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 gr.

## ACTIVE PRINCIPLES.--Digitoxin--It occurs in crystals, soluble in alcohol

and chloroform, slightly in ether, and insoluble in water; said to be cumulative.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂₅₀ to ¹⁄₅₀ gr.

Digitalein, an amorphous, bitter substance, soluble in water and alcohol and non-cumulative.

DOSE.--Same as digitoxin.

Digitalin, a very bitter, crystalline substance, soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in water and ether.

DOSE.--Same as for digitoxin.

Digitonin, resembling or identical with saponin of senega. White, amorphous powder, soluble in water. It is a heart depressant, muscular paralyzant and powerful irritant, besides being antagonistic to digitalis. In addition to these principles there are: Digitin, an inactive substance. Digitalic and antirrhinic acids. Tannin coloring matter, starch, sugar, gum, a volatile oil, salts, etc., common to most vegetables.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM DIGITALIS--EXTRACT OF DIGITALIS

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water; distillation of alcohol and evaporation to pilular substance.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 5 to 10 gr.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₈ to 1 gr.

FLUIDEXTRACTUM DIGITALIS--FLUID EXTRACT OF DIGITALIS

Prepared by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water, and evaporating so that 1 c. c. equals 1 gm. of the crude drug.

DOSE.--Horses, 10 m. to 1 dr.; cattle, 30 m. to 1¹⁄₂ dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 15 m.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 m.

TINCTURA DIGITALIS--TINCTURE OF DIGITALIS

Composed of powdered digitalis 100 parts with sufficient alcohol and water to make 1000 parts. By maceration and percolation.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 m.

INFUSUM DIGITALIS--INFUSION OF DIGITALIS

Composed of digitalis 15 parts, alcohol 100 parts, cinnamon water 150 parts, boiling water 500 parts, cold water to make 1000 parts. By maceration.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; dogs, 1 to 4 dr.

There are several substitutes for digitalis found in commerce.

## ACTIONS.--A cardiac and vascular tonic and stimulant, a motor excitant,

paralyzant, anaphrodisiac, it is an indirect diuretic and an emetic, irritates the mucous membrane.

The heart is slowed but the force is increased; digitalis stimulates the cardiac motor ganglia, the inhibitory apparatus and the vaso-motor centers, contracting the arterioles and thereby greatly raising the arterial tension; large doses exhaust and paralyze the heart.

Its diuretic action is very complex, one of the active principles, digitalin, increases the arterial pressure by contracting the blood vessels of the body, while the large renal arteries are dilated by two of its active principles, digitoxin and digitalein. On this account digitalis is an ideal diuretic.

USES.--It is used as a cardiac stimulant in full doses, followed by small ones; used in heart and cardiac debility from any cause, irregularity of the heart due to debility; used in dropsical conditions, combined with acetate or nitrate of potash; it is useful in congestion of organs, useful in the first stages of pneumonia and scarlatina; as a diuretic over the region of the kidneys this can be used two or three times daily; when internal remedies fail to increase the action of the kidneys this is very effectual. Useful in palpitation of the heart due to overexertion. Digitalis is occasionally employed with good results as a poultice of the leaves, applied over the loins to promote diuresis, or in local inflammation, to contract blood vessels.

FERRUM REDUCTUM--REDUCED IRON

DERIVATION.--Hydrogen gas is passed over freshly made and carefully washed ferric oxide in a hot and closed tube.

PROPERTIES.--A very fine grayish-black, lustreless powder, without odor or taste; permanent in dry air; insoluble in water or alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 2 dr.; cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 30 gr.; dogs, 1 to 5 gr.

FERRI SULPHAS--FERROUS SULPHATE--COPPERAS--GREEN VITRIOL

DERIVATION.--Iron wire is dissolved by boiling in dilute sulphuric acid.

PROPERTIES.--Large, pale bluish-green, monoclinic prisms, without odor and having a saline styptic taste; efflorescent in dry air. On exposure to moist air the crystals rapidly absorb oxygen and become coated with brownish-yellow, basic ferric sulphate; soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Same as reduced iron.

FERRI SULPHAS EXSICCATUS--DRIED FERROUS SULPHATE

DERIVATION.--Allow ferrous sulphate, 100 parts, to effloresce at a temperature of 104° F., then heat on a water bath until the product weighs 65.

PROPERTIES.--A greyish-white powder, slowly but completely soluble in water, without odor, and having a saline styptic taste.

DOSE.--Same as reduced iron.

FERRI CARBONAS SACCHARATUS--SACCHARATED FERROUS CARBONATE

DERIVATION.--Ferrous sulphate, 50; sodium bicarbonate, 35; sugar and distilled water. Made by solution, precipitation and washing.

PROPERTIES.--Greenish-brown powder, without odor; sweetish taste; becomes oxidized on exposure to the air.