Part 52

DERIVATION.--Nitroglycerine is prepared by dropping pure glycerine upon a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, kept cool by ice, and purified by washing with water. The official one per cent solution is not explosive unless it becomes concentrated by evaporation to an extent exceeding ten per cent.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, colorless liquid, possessing the odor and taste of alcohol. Caution should be exercised in tasting it, since even a small quantity is liable to produce violent headache.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 20 m.; dogs, 1 to 2 m. It is administered hypodermically, intravenously, intracheally or by the mouth according to the emergency of the case. For hypodermic injections one-half drachm is usually sufficient and should be diluted with one or two parts of water. It may be repeated in 15 or 20 minutes if necessary, then every hour or two if required. Care should be exercised not to repeat oftener than is necessary, or to give too large a dose as violent headache is produced by the drug in animals as well as in man.

ACTIONS.--Are the same as amyl nitrite, but more prolonged.

Spirit of nitroglycerine is the most prompt and powerful of all heart stimulants, showing its effects usually within three to five minutes.

USES.--It is best used in the official solution, but for dogs may be carried in tablets or pills containing ¹⁄₁₀₀ of a grain of glonoin. The spirit, however is more dependable. It is a good plan in cases of cardiac weakness to brace up the heart with Spirit of Glonoin, then maintain the effect with Tincture Strophanthus.

SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM--SUBLIMED SULPHUR--FLOWERS OF SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from native sulphur by sublimation.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, yellow powder, having a slightly characteristic odor and a faintly acid taste. Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in absolute alcohol; more readily soluble in benzine, benzol, oil of turpentine and many other oils; also in ether, chloroform and in boiling aqueous solutions of alkaline hydrates.

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

PREPARATIONS

SULPHUR LOTUM--WASHED SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from sublimed sulphur, which is treated with diluted ammonia water to wash out sulphurous and sulphuric and ether impurities.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, yellow powder, without odor or taste. Solubility same as sublimed sulphur.

DOSE.--Same as sublimed sulphur.

SULPHUR PRECIPITATUM--PRECIPITATED SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from a solution of sublimed sulphur, 100; in boiling calcium hydrate, 50; by precipitation with hydrochloric acid.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, amorphous powder, of a pale yellow color, without odor or taste. Solubility same as sublimed sulphur.

DOSE.--Same as sublimed sulphur.

UNGUENTUM SULPHURIS--SULPHUR OINTMENT

Composed of washed sulphur, 150; benzoinated lard, 850.

ACTIONS.--Sulphur applied to skin or mucous surfaces is a feeble, mechanical stimulant, and hence relieves chronic passive congestion. It destroys parasitic infestation of the skin. Administered internally it is a laxative and alterative. It destroys fungi on vines and kills similar parasites affecting plants and animals. How much of this toxic effect depends on the sulphur acting as sulphur, and how much on the alkaline sulphides, sulphuretted hydrogen and sulphurous acid into which it is gradually converted, has not been determined. Sulphur when swallowed is slowly acted upon by the alkaline secretions of the intestines, and small quantities are converted into sulphides, which stimulate the intestinal mucous membrane. A further change liberates sulphuretted hydrogen, which imparts its disagreeable smell to the breath, secretions of the skin and bowels. The greater part of the sulphur swallowed is removed unchanged by the bowels, but a portion is excreted in the urine as sulphates. Over-doses given to horses and other animals cause colic, purging, prostration and sometime fatal gastro-enteritis.

USES.--Sulphur is given to the several domestic animals as a laxative where more powerful purgatives might irritate--as in pregnancy, convalescence from acute diseases in young animals, and in piles.

Its alterative and stimulant effects on the skin have led to its use in rheumatism, eczema and cutaneous diseases. Some veterinarians affirm that it benefits dry congested conditions of the respiratory membrane by stimulating its epithelial cells and increasing movements of the cilia. It has no special vermicide action. Sulphur dusted on the skin slightly stimulates, but when dissolved by admixture with an alkali or oil, and smartly rubbed in, it more actively stimulates the cells of the rete Malpighi and thus hastens desquamation; while it also increases contractility of the muscular textures, and hence overcomes passive cutaneous hyperaemia. It thus promotes a healthier action in chronic eczema and psoriasis, and in such cases sulphur dressings are used with benefit combined or alternated with iodine or tar acids, and are aided by the internal use of sulphur and arsenic. Infriction of sulphur ointment is stated to relieve the pain of rheumatic muscles and joints. Sulphurous gas from burning sulphur is used for husk or hoose of sheep and calves; this is a disease in which worms affect the bronchial tubes, due to strongylus micrurus in calves and strongylus filaria in sheep. The patients are placed in a loose box and sulphur is burned about six feet away from them, so that air may dilute the fumes before being inhaled by the animals; let them inhale the fumes for ten or twenty minutes or longer, unless irritation is too great.

TARAXACUM--DANDELION ROOT

The fresh and dried roots of Taraxacum officinale, collected in the autumn.

HABITAT.--United States and Europe.

PROPERTIES.--The root is about six to twelve inches long, half an inch to an inch thick, is dark brown externally and white within. It breaks with a short fracture; from the fractured surface a milky juice exudes, which is inodorous, but has a bitter taste.