Part 19

DOSES.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₄ to 1 dr.; dogs, 2 to 8 grs. Larger doses are recommended when a antispasmodic or carminative is desired the dose for horses and cattle can be increased to an ounce, but only two doses should be administered, well diluted in water or in ball or capsule.

ACTIONS.--Ammonium carbonate is decomposed by acid in the stomach and escapes in the urine. It stimulates gastric secretion, vascularity and motion, and exciting intestinal peristalsis. It is, therefore, a stomachic and carminative. It is also an antacid, and, in large doses, an emetic for dogs. It is given in capsules or in solution in cold water, to avoid irritating fumes; also with syrup or gruel. It is often prescribed with other stimulants and antispasmodics, as alcohol, camphor, capsicum and asafoetida. The action of ammonium carbonate is almost identical with that of ammonia water in stimulating the heart and respiration, but it has more power in augmenting the bronchial secretions.

USES.--It is given to all animals in indigestion; conjoins the actions of an antacid and diffusible stimulant; in small doses promotes secretion of gastric juice, and in larger, relieves flatulence and spasm. In diseases of the air passages it is used as an expectorant; is contra-indicated in purpura haemorrhagica, as it lowers the oxygen carrying power of red blood corpuscles, and dissolves fibrin. As a stimulant it can be combined with alcohol and sulphuric ether. Ammonia is recommended where a clot, thrombi or embolism is supposed to exist on account of its defibrinating power. Ammonium carbonate is used extensively in the treatment of spasmodic and flatulent, colic and acute indigestion conjoined with either asafoetida, capsicum, camphor, nux vomica and alcohol.

AMMONII CHLORIDIUM--MURIATE OF AMMONIA--SAL AMMONIAC

DERIVATION.--This salt may be formed by neutralizing crude solution of ammonia or ammonium carbonate with hydrochloric acid and purifying the product.

PROPERTIES.--A white, crystalline powder without odor, having a cooling, saline taste, and permanent in the air. Soluble in two parts of water; in fifty parts alcohol.

DOSES.--Horses, 1 to 2 drs.; cattle, 4 drs. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 15 grs. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 10 grs.

ACTIONS.--Internally it is an expectorant, alterative, feebly diaphoretic and diuretic. When ingested, ammonium chloride is a feeble heart and respiratory stimulant, and is not comparable to the ammonia compounds or ammonium carbonate in this respect. It is eliminated in great part unchanged by the urine, but also by the other channels. In its excretion it stimulates the mucous membranes, increases their secretion generally, and is thought to improve their nutrition. Ammonium chloride both excites the secretion of the bronchial mucous membrane and renders it less viscid in inflammatory conditions. Externally it is a refrigerant.

USES.--Useful in all diseases where an expectorant is indicated, catarrhal condition, pneumonia, coughs, influenza, chronic congestion of the liver, etc. Used externally one part ammonium chloride dissolved in ten parts of water as a refrigerant lotion for inflammatory swellings, bruises and sprains.

ARGENTI NITRAS--SILVER NITRATE

DERIVATION.--Dissolve silver in nitric acid with heat. Evaporate and crystallize.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, tubular, rhombic crystals, becoming gray, or grayish-black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; without odor, but having a bitter, caustic and strongly metallic taste; soluble in water and alcohol.

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

ARGENTI NITRAS MITIGATUS--MITIGATED SILVER NITRATE

DERIVATION.--Melt silver nitrate, 30 parts, with potassium nitrate, 60 parts, in a crucible at as low a temperature as possible. Mix and cast into suitable moulds.

PROPERTIES.--A white, hard, solid, generally in the form of pencils or canes of a finely granular fracture; becoming gray or grayish-black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; odorless, having a caustic, metallic taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.

ARGENTI NITRAS FUSUS--MOULDED SILVER NITRATE--LUNAR CAUSTIC

DERIVATION.--Melt silver nitrate, 100 parts, with hydrochloric acid, 4 parts at as low a temperature as possible. Mix and pour into suitable moulds.

PROPERTIES.--Practically same as mitigated silver nitrate. Use only externally.

ACTIONS.--Silver nitrate combines with the albumen of the tissues, and is a limited caustic; causes superficial inflammation and stains the parts black; small doses increase secretion and stimulate the heart. It promotes nutrition, and is said to be a nerve tonic. Its continued administration causes waste, gastro-intestinal catarrh, fluidity of the blood, slate colored lines about the gums, and similar discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane, followed by nervous disorder, paralysis, convulsions and death.

USES.--A solution of forty grains to one ounce of spirit of nitrous ether is said to abort superficial inflammation, if early applied; used for erysipelas, twenty grains to one ounce of distilled water, applied around margin to limit the area; also used in ulceration of the throat; used with a spray or swab, in strength of from ten grains to one-half to drachm to one ounce of distilled water. For dysentery, internally and as an enema it is very good; used in conjunctivitis one to five grains to one to two ounces of distilled water, is the average strength, and should only be applied to the conjunctiva or lids, and should not be on the cornea, as it may form an insoluble chloride of silver and cause permanent opacities. Nitrate of silver is used in the form of lunar caustic to stimulate indolent ulcers, and to burn off warts.

To stimulate ulcers, touch in spots around the edge; also used in chorea epilepsy and chronic spinal disease, foot rot in sheep; a piece of the caustic is placed in sinuses of fistulous withers, quittors, etc. It causes a slough, followed by healthy granulation; used for sore teats in cows.

ARNICAE--ARNICA

ORIGIN.--Arnica is obtained from the flower roots of a plant that grows in mountainous countries of Central Europe, Asia and America.

COMPOSITION.--An active principle called arnicin. The root contains an essential oil, on which depends in great part its physiological activity.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM ARNICAE RADICIS--EXTRACT OF ARNICA ROOT (NON-OFFICIAL)

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 15 grs. to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 grs.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 grs.