Part 20

FLUIDEXTRACTUM ARNICAE RADICIS--FLUIDEXTRACT ARNICA ROOT (NON-OFFICIAL)

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 2 to 10 ms.

TINCTURA ARNICAE--TINCTURE OF ARNICA

This is the best and most used preparation of Arnica.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, 15 ms. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 ms. This dose can be given every three hours to maintain the circulation of the skin; as a diaphoretic, the dose can and may be increased and combined with other diaphoretics.

INCOMPATIBLES.--Its action is antagonized by ammonia, alcoholic stimulants, opium, camphor, etc.

SYNERGISTS.--Aconite, veratrum viride, digitalis and arterial sedatives, generally increase the effects of arnica.

ACTIONS.--Arnica is irritant, stimulant, depressant; antipyretic, diuretic, diaphoretic and is used as a vulnerary, it dilates the circular blood vessels. It irritates the gastro-intestinal tract. In alcoholic solutions (as tincture of arnica) it inflames the skin when used full strength.

In small doses it increases the action of the heart, raises arterial tension and stimulates the action of the skin and kidneys.

Large doses produce a transient excitement, followed by depressed circulation, respiration and temperature.

USES.--It is a very efficient diaphoretic for horses in one or two ounce doses diluted in one pint of water; one-half ounce of fluid extract pilocarpus may be added at the outset of inflammatory diseases of any kind, such as lymphangitis, laminitis, pulmonary diseases, etc. Excellent to stop a chill and prevent the following fever or inflammatory action. It does this by dilating the blood vessels of the skin, thus attracting the blood to the surface and away from congested internal organs. It is indicated in sthetic fever of any kind; azoturia, rheumatism, especially inflammatory or articular; congestion of the brain, kidneys, etc., externally much used, but of little value on hairy animals.

ARSENUM--ARSENIC

ORIGIN.--The world’s supply of arsenic and arsenic compounds at the present time is obtained from Germany, Spain, England, Canada and portions of the United States, as Montana and Washington, where considerable quantities of arsenic are being produced as a by-product in the smelting of copper ores. Arsenic ore is roasted and purified by sublimation, before it is used for medical purposes.

ARSENI TRIOXIDUM--ARSENIC TRIOXIDE ACIDUM ARSENOSUM--ARCENOUS ACID (White Arsenic)

DERIVATION.--Arsenical ores are roasted or conducted into condensing chambers and purified by sublimation.

PROPERTIES.--A heavy solid, occurring either as an opaque, white powder, or in irregular masses of two varieties; the one amorphous, transparent and colorless, like glass; the other crystalline, opaque, and white, resembling porcelain. Frequently the same piece has an opaque, white outer crust enclosing the glassy variety. Contact with moist air gradually changes the glassy into the white opaque variety. Both are odorless and tasteless. The glassy variety dissolves slowly in thirty parts of water; the porcelain-like in eighty parts of water. Arcenous acid is sparingly soluble in alcohol, but soluble in glycerin, hydrochloric acid and solutions of the alkali hydrates and carbonates. When heated to 424°, arcenous acid is completely volatilized without melting.

INCOMPATIBLES.--Lime water, salts of iron and magnesia.

DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 5 grs.; cattle, 2 to 8 grs.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 grs.; dogs, ¹⁄₃₀ to ¹⁄₁₀ gr.

LIQUOR POTASSII ARSENITIS--SOLUTION OF POTASSIUM ARSENITE (Fowler’s Solution)

DERIVATION.--Arcenous acid, potassium bicarbonate, compound tincture of lavender and distilled water. Strength one part of arcenous acid in 100.

DOSE.--Horses, 2 drs. to 1 oz.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ ozs.; sheep and pigs, 10 to 40 ms.; dogs, 2 to 5 ms. Average dose for horse is ¹⁄₂ oz. usually given three times daily in drinking water or bran mash.

LIQUOR ACIDI ARSENOSI--SOLUTION OF ARCENOUS ACID

DERIVATION.--Arcenous acid, diluted hydrochloric acid, and distilled water. Strength one part arcenous acid in 100.

DOSE.--Same as liquor potassii arsenitis.

LIQUOR ARSENI ET HYDRARGYRI IODIDI (Donovan’s Solution)

DERIVATION.--Arcenous iodide, red mercuric iodide, and distilled water, which should contain not less then one per cent of arcenous iodide and one per cent of mercuric iodide.

DOSE.--Same as liquor potassii arsenitis.

ACTIONS.--Arsenic and its compounds are gastro-intestinal and pulmonary tonic, a stimulant and alterative, acting particularly on the digestive and respiratory mucous membranes and skin. It is antiperiodic and tonic; also antispasmodic in diseases of the nervous system, and is a nervine tonic. In large doses it is a corrosive-irritant poison, killing either by gastro-enteritis, or nervous paresis. Continued doses produce fatty degeneration. On account of its being a stomachic, small doses promote the appetite and digestion. Large doses inflame the stomach and derange digestion. It increases the cardiac action, respiratory power, and secretion of the intestines. It also stimulates peristalsis. When tolerance is established, large doses are taken with impunity.